Curaçao holds Ecuador to 0-0 draw for first World Cup point behind Eloy Room's 15-save record

Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, claimed its first point in the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador on June 21, 2026. Goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a performance for the ages, repelling wave after wave of Ecuadorian attacks.

Room's record-breaking night

Ecuador fired 27 shots at the Curaçao goal, 15 of them on target, but Room turned everything away. The 37-year-old's 15 saves set a new record for a 90-minute World Cup match, surpassing the previous mark. He stopped Enner Valencia in a one-on-one in the third minute, blocked a series of efforts from Moisés Caicedo and others, and watched three Ecuadorian attempts hit the woodwork.

“It means everything to us. We feel like we won. It's our first point at a World Cup and that's incredible.”

The match flow

Ecuador dominated possession and created chances throughout. Valencia threatened early, Vite and Yeboah went close in the first half, and the pressure mounted after the break. Curaçao's best spell came around the 59th minute when Leandro Bacuna and Comenencia forced a double save from Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. A 90th-minute header from Preciado struck the post, the closest Ecuador came to breaking the deadlock.

What it means for Group 5

Germany has already secured top spot and a place in the round of 32 with six points. Côte d'Ivoire sits second with three points, while Ecuador and Curaçao each have one. Curaçao will face Côte d'Ivoire in its final group match with a chance to advance, while Ecuador must beat Germany to stay alive.

Celebrations and a statue

Fans in Kansas City stayed long after the final whistle to celebrate with the players. On the island of Curaçao (population between 155,000 and 158,000, depending on the source), thousands poured into the streets to watch the match and erupted when the point was secured. Room, born in Nijmegen but representing Curaçao since 2015 through his father's heritage, joked about his status.

“In 40 years I will still remember this match. It was crazy. I think I deserve a statue in Curaçao now!”

Coach Dick Advocaat's side, unbeaten in CONCACAF qualifying, reached the finals after a goalless draw against Jamaica in November 2025 secured top spot in its group. The team's progress has turned the World Cup into a rolling party for the Dutch Caribbean nation.