Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room makes 15 saves, earns first-ever World Cup point in goalless draw with Ecuador
Debutants Curaçao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw at Arrowhead Stadium, with Eloy Room producing 15 saves, the second-most in World Cup history. The Caribbean island celebrated its first-ever point at the tournament, after a 7-1 loss to Germany.
Match stalemate
Ecuador dominated possession and fired 28 shots, 15 on target, but could not beat Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room. The debutant Caribbean side, still reeling from a 7-1 defeat by Germany in their opening match, absorbed pressure and created chances of their own. Neither team managed to break the deadlock as the match at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium ended scoreless. The result gave Curaçao their first-ever point in a World Cup finals, a moment celebrated wildly by the small nation's supporters.
It's a very good feeling. I think I gave confidence to the team and myself after that first save early on. I grew into the game, which I knew would be busy. Fortunately, I managed to keep all the balls out and help.
Room's record night
Eloy Room's 15 saves set a new benchmark for the 2026 tournament and placed him second on the all-time list for saves in a World Cup match, behind only Tim Howard's 16 for the United States against Belgium in the 2014 round of 16. FIFA began tracking the statistic in 1966. The 37-year-old Miami FC goalkeeper said he was not counting but knew the number was high.
I was a bit annoyed not to have beaten Tim Howard's record, but I'm still proud.
After the final whistle, FIFA named Room player of the match. He described the performance as "almost the perfect game" and joked that he deserved a statue for his interventions.
- Tim Howard (2014)
- 16
- Eloy Room (2026)
- 15
Group E picture
Germany defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 earlier in the day to move to six points and clinch first place in the group. Ivory Coast, on three points, occupies second place. Ecuador and Curaçao each have one point, leaving both still mathematically in contention for a round-of-32 berth heading into the final matchday. Curaçao will face Ivory Coast next, while Ecuador meets Germany.
- Germany
- 6
- Ivory Coast
- 3
- Ecuador
- 1
- Curaçao
- 1
Royal support
The Dutch connection to Curaçao, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was visible in the stands. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima watched the match from the presidential box, a presence the team later acknowledged as inspiring. The royal couple joined the players in a post-match celebration in the dressing room, according to reports.
