Curacao’s Room Makes 15 Saves, Secures Historic World Cup Draw Against Ecuador

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room required two minutes to make one of World Cup’s most impressive saves. He stopped Ecuador forward Enner Valencia from close range in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador in Group E.

Room made 15 saves, the most in a 90-minute match in tournament history. Curacao, the smallest nation ever to play at a World Cup, earned its first point.

Room, the oldest player in Curacao’s squad, held off relentless pressure from Ecuador. He saved shots including an 18-metre effort and a second-half header from Valencia.

Only Tim Howard of the United States has made more saves in a single World Cup match, with 16 in extra time against Belgium in 2014.

Room told reporters he was not thinking about setting records during the game. Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez praised Room’s performance.

Curacao’s soccer history includes Room making over a dozen saves in their first Gold Cup win against Honduras in 2019. Born to a Dutch father, Room became eligible for Curacao and joined the team in 2015.

Room’s Instagram account gained around 700,000 followers from fewer than 100,000 before the game. The Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were in attendance, celebrating with the team after the match.