Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room sets FIFA World Cup record after 15 saves in 0-0 draw with Ecuador

× Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room set a FIFA World Cup record in his side's historic 0-0 draw with Ecuador (June 20). The shotstopper made a staggering 15 saves during the game, earning his side their first-ever World Cup point. Ad The 2026 edition marks Curacao's first appearance at a FIFA World Cup.

With a population of around 150,000, they are the smallest nation to participate at the tournament, beating out Iceland's record from 2018 (~350,000). They secured their berth with an unbeaten record in CONCACAF qualifiers, scoring the most goals and having the joint-best defensive record (28 scored, five conceded in 10 games). Room played a crucial role in the qualifiers, starting all 10 games and keeping six clean sheets.

Ad Trending The 37-year-old, who is the second-most capped player (72) for Curacao behind current captain Leandro Bacuna (73), came into the World Cup as their undisputed starter between the sticks. Unfortunately, their debut game quickly turned into a disaster as they were trounced 7-1 by 2014 champions Germany (June 14). Many expected Room to struggle against Ecuador as well.

However, he made save after save to deny the opposition attackers, looking like a man on a mission to secure his nation's first ever point at the tournament. Ad He made a total of 15 saves, preventing a whopping 2.48 expected goals for Ecuador (stats via FotMob).

The save tally was the highest on record by any goalkeeper since 1966, in a game that didn't go to extra time (i.e. ended after 90 minutes, stat via @OptaJoe on X).

The overall record is held by USA shotstopper Tim Howard. In the 2014 edition, the American made a whopping 16 saves in a Round of 16 clash against Belgium, a game that ended 2-1 to the Red Devils after extra time. Ad "I think I need a statue in Curacao" - Eloy Room makes hilarious claim after historic performance in 0-0 draw vs Ecuador at FIFA World Cup After Curacao's historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup, goalkeeper Eloy Room hilariously claimed that he should get a statue in his home nation.

Ad Speaking to reporters after the game, Room praised his team's 'heart' and claimed that the draw felt like a victory for his nation. The 37-year-old, who currently plays for Miami FC in the USL Championship, said (via irishnews.com): "It feels like a victory, it’s the first point at the World Cup, it means everything.

It is unreal, the journey where we came from and we are now here and we showed we have real heart, it’s an unbelievable feeling." Ad "I knew it was a lot of saves. I know it was a record from a long time ago, so I am really proud.

I think in 40 years I will remember this, it will be insane. I think I need a statue in Curacao now," Room added.Incredibly, the draw has kept Curacao alive in the race to qualify for the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup on the first time of asking.

× Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Aaryan Nagraj Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room set a FIFA World Cup record in his side's historic 0-0 draw with Ecuador (June 20). The shotstopper made a staggering 15 saves during the game, earning his side their first-ever World Cup point.

Ad The 2026 edition marks Curacao's first appearance at a FIFA World Cup. With a population of around 150,000, they are the smallest nation to participate at the tournament, beating out Iceland's record from 2018 (~350,000). They secured their berth with an unbeaten record in CONCACAF qualifiers, scoring the most goals and having the joint-best defensive record (28 scored, five conceded in 10 games).

Room played a crucial role in the qualifiers, starting all 10 games and keeping six clean sheets. Ad Trending The 37-year-old, who is the second-most capped player (72) for Curacao behind current captain Leandro Bacuna (73), came into the World Cup as their undisputed starter between the sticks. Unfortunately, their debut game quickly turned into a disaster as they were trounced 7-1 by 2014 champions Germany (June 14).

Many expected Room to struggle against Ecuador as well. However, he made save after save to deny the opposition attackers, looking like a man on a mission to secure his nation's first ever point at the tournament. Ad He made a total of 15 saves, preventing a whopping 2.

48 expected goals for Ecuador (stats via FotMob). The save tally was the highest on record by any goalkeeper since 1966, in a game that didn't go to extra time (i.e.

ended after 90 minutes, stat via @OptaJoe on X). The overall record is held by USA shotstopper Tim Howard. In the 2014 edition, the American made a whopping 16 saves in a Round of 16 clash against Belgium, a game that ended 2-1 to the Red Devils after extra time.

Ad "I think I need a statue in Curacao" - Eloy Room makes hilarious claim after historic performance in 0-0 draw vs Ecuador at FIFA World Cup After Curacao's historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup, goalkeeper Eloy Room hilariously claimed that he should get a sta