Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a record-equalling 15 saves to help his country secure a historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The result earned Curaçao their first-ever World Cup point and kept alive their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 after suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat to Germany in their tournament opener.
The 37-year-old Miami FC shot-stopper was in inspired form throughout the encounter at Kansas City Stadium, repeatedly frustrating Ecuador’s attackers in front of a crowd of 68,598 spectators.
Room’s heroics began as early as the third minute when he denied Ecuador captain Enner Valencia from close range.
He went on to make save after save against Valencia, John Yeboah, Moisés Caicedo, Pedro Vite, Kevin Rodríguez, Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata as Ecuador peppered the Curaçao goal with 27 shots.
According to Opta, Room’s 15 saves matched the FIFA World Cup record set by former United States goalkeeper Tim Howard during the USA’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2014 World Cup.
However, unlike Howard, who conceded twice in extra time, Room kept a clean sheet to secure a memorable result for his nation.
Ecuador dominated possession and created chances worth an expected goals (xG) value of 3.05 but were unable to find a way past the veteran goalkeeper.
Curaçao also threatened on occasion, with Leandro Bacuna and Liviana Comenencia forcing saves from Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez, but it was Room who remained the undisputed star of the night.
Named Player of the Match with an outstanding rating of 9.44, Room described the draw as one of the greatest moments of his career.
“The first save gave me confidence and it gave confidence to the team. We kept fighting until the end and earning a point this way for Curaçao is absolutely great,” he said after the match.
The draw leaves Ecuador with just one point from their opening two matches after a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in their first game. They must now beat group leaders Germany in their final fixture to stand any chance of progressing.
For Curaçao, the dream remains alive. Dick Advocaat’s side will face Ivory Coast in their final group match, knowing that a shock victory could send the World Cup debutants into the knockout rounds.
Regardless of what happens next, Room’s record-equalling display has already secured a special place in FIFA World Cup folklore and delivered one of the most memorable moments of the 2026 tournament.
