Room’s 15 saves help Curaçao to first World Cup point

Curaçao's Eloy Room set a record with the most ever saves in a FIFA World Cup.

KANSAS CITY, Miss. – The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued as Curaçao played to a scoreless draw against Ecuador in Group E on Saturday at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

The result marked Curaçao’s first point at a FIFA World Cup. The Caribbean nation also remained in contention to advance to the Knockout Round heading into the final matchday of the Group Stage.

Eloy Room was outstanding in goal with 15 saves, the most ever on record (since 1966) in a FIFA World Cup match without extra time.

According to data provider OPTA/Stats Perform, Room's 15 saves also tied Tim Howard’s record for the most saves in any World Cup game including extra time, set by the United States goalkeeper against Belgium 12 years ago in Brazil 2014.

The Curaçao goalkeeper was vital as early as the 3’ to deny Enner Valencia on a close-range chance.

Room denied Valencia again in the 20’ and came up key again prior to halftime, in the 42’, to push away a left-footed hit from the top of the box by John Yeboah.

Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez also had an important night, including a sequence of saves in the 60’ to deny attempts from Leandro Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, and Jürgen Locadia.

A header from Valencia in the 65’ was met with the hands of Eloy Room. Kevin Rodríguez had a header attempt of his own one minute later, off a corner kick service, but Room would not let any ball past him.

Juninho Bacuna had his chance at goal in the 74’ but Ecuador’s Galíndez would also remain stingy.

Room denied a long range shot from Pedro Vite in the 80’ to finish the night with 15 saves, and the clean sheet that delivered Curaçao’s first positive World Cup result.

The Blue Wave will retake the field for their final match of the Group Stage against Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday at Philadelphia Stadium.

Ecuador vs Curaçao Post-Match Facts

• Curaçao earned its first point in the FIFA World Cup in his second match in the tournament.
• Curaçao was the ninth Concacaf nation to face a CONMEBOL opponent in the FIFA World Cup. The only two Concacaf team to avoid defeat in their first FIFA World Cup match against a South American side were the USA in 1930 against Paraguay (3-0 win) and Curaçao against Ecuador in 2026 (0-0).
• Curaçao became the second team in FIFA World Cup history to not concede a goal in a match immediately after allowing 7+ goals. The first one was Costa Rica in 2022.
• Curaçao did not concede a goal today during the first 15 minutes, just as they did in nine of their last 10 matches between the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Concacaf Qualifiers.
• Curaçao is the third Concacaf nation to have five or more starters that are at least 32 years of age for a FIFA World Cup match, joining Costa Rica (twice in 2022) and the US (once in 2006 and once in 2014).
• Eloy Room's 15 saves are the most ever on record (since 1966) in a FIFA World Cup match without extra time.
• Eloy Room (Curaçao) made six saves in the first half against Ecuador, the highest number in this edition of the FIFA World Cup.