Room the hero as tiny Curacao earn first World Cup point against Ecuador
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves to help his team secure a historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador, earning their first-ever World Cup point.
Curacao made history on Saturday in Kansas City by earning their first World Cup point in a goalless draw against Ecuador in Group E. Goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero, making 15 saves—the most by any goalkeeper in a World Cup match without extra time since 1966.
Ecuador, who finished second in South American qualifying, dominated possession and had 28 shots, 15 on target, but Room stood firm. He denied Enner Valencia from close range and kept out a header from Gonzalo Plata. Curacao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup, had lost 7-1 to Germany in their opening match but bounced back with a resilient performance.
The team is coached by Dutch veteran Dick Advocaat, and 25 of the 26 players were born in the Netherlands. The match was attended by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, as Curacao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The match started at a fast pace. In the third minute, Valencia burst through the middle but saw his shot tipped around the post by Room. Sherel Floranus fired over for Curacao. Ecuador dominated possession with 65% in the first half but failed to score.
In the second half, Room saved a header from Plata before Curacao had a flurry of chances. As the match neared its end, Ecuador substitute Angelo Preciado mis-hit a cross that bounced off the crossbar. Curacao players celebrated the point at the final whistle.
Earlier, Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Toronto to secure qualification for the round of 32. Curacao's draw means Germany will top the group. Ecuador will play Germany on Thursday, while Curacao take on Ivory Coast.
