Eloy Room’s amazing goaltending helped Curacao make history with a scoreless draw in the Group E game in Kansas City.
Published June 21, 2026
Goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero for Curaçao against Ecuador, fending off a barrage of fire to help the small Caribbean nation claim its first World Cup point with a goalless draw and keep its hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive.
Ecuador, who finished second in the South American qualifying round, had 28 shots, including 15 on target, but Room, who had an incredible performance in Kansas City on Saturday, held firm.
His 15 saves are the most by a goalkeeper in a World Cup game without overtime since 1966.
Curacao, the smallest country in history to qualify for the World Cup, lost their first game 7-1 to Germany, but regained the pride of the American Midwest.
Ecuadorian fans vastly outnumbered Curacao supporters and painted Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL team Kansas City Chiefs, yellow.
However, Curaçao had the royal family, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Máxima, on their side. The island is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Of the 26-strong squad, managed by experienced Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, 25 are Dutch-born and most play their football there.
The match started at a furious pace.
Ecuador looked certain to take the lead in the third minute when former West Ham striker Enel Valencia broke through the middle, but Room hit the ball against the post.
Curaçao showed some pace during the break when Cherelle Floranus fired in from the other end.
As Ecuador continued to dominate possession, Valencia failed to beat Room from close range until Jordy Alcibar fired home.
The South American team ended the first half with 65 percent possession, but there was nothing to show they were superior.
They almost broke the deadlock just before the end of the first hour, but Room saved Gonzalo Plata’s header and Curacao had chances one after another.
Ecuador, more than 50 places higher than Curacao in the FIFA rankings, looked increasingly exhausted as they neared the finish line.
As the match drew to a close, chances arose one after another, but Room remained resolute.
Ecuador’s substitute Angelo Preciado mishit a cross that bounced over the crossbar and went behind.
Curacao’s players crowded around the room after the game to celebrate an extraordinary point.
Earlier, four-time champions Germany secured a spot in the Round of 32 with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Toronto. The draw in Curaçao ensured that Germany would finish first in the group.
Ecuador will play Germany on Thursday, while Curacao will face Ivory Coast.
