15 saves in 90 minutes: Curacao’s Room sets World Cup record

Eloy Room produced a record-breaking performance as he inspired Curacao to a 0-0 draw against Ecuador on Saturday, earning the Caribbean island its first-ever World Cup point in a night that will be remembered as a landmark in its sporting history.

Six days after being humbled 7-1 by Germany on their World Cup debut, Curacao-- the smallest nation ever to reach the finals with a population of about 156,000 -- produced a far more resilient and disciplined display to frustrate Ecuador and keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

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Keeper Room shines as Curacao hold Ecuador for historic World Cup draw

The 37-year-old Room, whose shutout of Jamaica in November had already sealed Curaçao’s place in the tournament, was once again the standout figure. The Eloy Room made a World Cup-record 15 saves in 90 minutes, repeatedly denying Ecuador during sustained pressure and helping his side withstand a relentless attacking barrage.

American Tim Howard holds the World Cup record for all-time saves with 16, but that came after extra time in the United States’ loss to Belgium in the 2014 round of 16, underlining the scale of Room’s 90-minute achievement.

Ecuador’s Enner Valencia had a golden opportunity in the third minute when he went one-on-one with Room, but the goalkeeper reacted superbly, diving to tip the ball wide of the post with a stunning one-handed save. That early intervention set the tone for what became a heroic display, as Room repeatedly frustrated Ecuador and gradually turned their confidence into disbelief.

“I still have to process myself,” Room said. “The match is full of emotions. I knew it was going to be a tough match. The first save, the tone was put in place, also for the team.

“It gave me confidence and I grew, we all grew, this was a team effort. We’ve been fighting, fighting up to the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curaçao is absolutely great.”

Ecuador, who arrived on a 19-game unbeaten run and were playing in their fifth World Cup, were left stunned after failing to turn dominance into goals. Their fans were left deflated as chances went begging, leaving them with just one point from two games.

Ecuador supporters, who greatly outnumbered their Curaçao counterparts, repeatedly chanted “Si se puede! (Yes we can!)” throughout the match, but were left in stunned silence at the final whistle as the underdogs celebrated.

The match, played in Kansas City, saw Ecuador register 26 shots to Curaçao’s 10, with Angelo Preciado’s late long-range effort striking the top of the bar as they came agonizingly close.

Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece said: “The team is looking for every path forward. Of course, not being able to score tonight is something that creates awkwardness. We are not able to create joy for the team, nor for our fans.

“But life has taught me you have to always continue to work, always learn, and challenges can become opportunities. It is normal now to feel this pain, this disappointment, but this is not over yet.”

The goalless draw confirmed Germany as Group E winners and highlighted the growing competitiveness of football’s emerging nations, challenging expectations that expanded World Cups would produce one-sided mismatches.

Instead, Curacao’s disciplined defensive performance — anchored by Room’s extraordinary goalkeeping — stood as one of the most remarkable underdog stories of the tournament, adding another chapter to a competition increasingly defined by resistance from football’s smaller nations.