Eloy Room #1 of Curacao makes a save as teammate Jurien Gaari #3 collides with Pervis Estupinan #7 of Ecuador in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Curacao at Kansas Metropolis Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. — AFP
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero towards Ecuador on Saturday, preserving out a barrage of photographs to assist the tiny Caribbean nation declare their first-ever World Cup level in a goalless draw that retains alive their hopes of reaching the knockout part.
Ecuador, who completed second in South American qualifying, had 28 photographs, together with 15 heading in the right direction, however Room stood agency in an astonishing show in Kansas Metropolis.
His 15 saves are probably the most on document, since 1966, by any goalkeeper a World Cup match that didn’t characteristic extra-time.
World Cup debutants Curacao, the smallest nation by inhabitants ever to qualify for the tournaments, slumped to a 7-1 defeat towards Germany of their opening match however restored pleasure within the American Midwest.
Ecuador followers turned the Arrowhead Stadium, the house of NFL crew Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, yellow, massively outnumbering supporters of Curacao.
However Curacao had royalty on their facet within the type of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. The island is an autonomous nation throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Out of their 26-strong squad, managed by vastly skilled Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, 25 had been born within the Netherlands, and most play their soccer there.
The match began at a fizzing tempo.
Ecuador appeared sure to open the scoring within the third minute when former West Ham ahead Enner Valencia burst via the center however Room tipped the ball across the publish.
Sherel Floranus fired over on the different finish as Curacao confirmed their tempo on the break.
Valencia didn’t beat Room from shut vary earlier than Jordy Alcivar had an effort as Ecuador continued to dominate possession.
The South American crew ended the primary half with 65% of possession however nothing to indicate for his or her dominance.
They went near breaking the impasse simply earlier than the hour mark however Room saved out a Gonzala Plata header, earlier than a flurry of Curacao probabilities.
Ecuador, greater than 50 locations increased than Curacao within the Fifa rankings, appeared more and more frazzled as they pressed for a purpose.
Because the match neared its finish, probabilities continued to come back thick and quick however Room stood agency.
Ecuador substitute Angelo Preciado mishit a cross that bounced off the highest of the crossbar and went behind.
The Curacao gamers swarmed round Room on the finish of the match, celebrating a unprecedented level.
Earlier, four-time champions Germany got here from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Toronto, making certain their qualification for the spherical of 32. Curacao´s draw ensures Germany will high the group.
Ecuador will play Germany on Thursday whereas Curacao tackle Ivory Coast.
