Curacao earned a historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador in the World Cup on the night between Saturday and Sunday, taking a first-ever point in the tournament. The Caribbean side, the smallest national team ever to play in a World Cup, frustrated Ecuador throughout the match and ensured their name will be remembered by fans around the world.
The decisive figure was goalkeeper Eloy Room, a 37-year-old who plays in the American second division and was little known before this game. After conceding seven goals against Germany only days earlier, Room produced 15 saves, including several outstanding stops. That total ranks second all-time for saves in a single World Cup match and first for a 90-minute game.
Ecuador dominated possession and created numerous chances, but its attack again failed to deliver. With players such as Moises Caicedo, Pervis Estupinan and Enner Valencia, the team was expected to do far more than score zero goals in what were viewed as its two easier group-stage matches. Despite its defensive reputation, Ecuador now looks in danger of an early exit from the tournament.
Valencia was especially wasteful, missing several major chances against Room. Curacao also had a late opportunity when Kenji Gorré came off the bench in the 75th minute and helped lead a dangerous counterattack, but the move ended without a finish. Curacao will face Ivory Coast in its final group match, with a place in the knockout stage still possible. Ecuador must upset Germany if it wants any realistic chance of advancing for only the second time in its history.
