Eloy Room's 15-Save Masterclass Earns Curaçao Historic First Point

Curaçao earned a slice of World Cup history at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, goalkeeper Eloy Room producing a heroic display to hold Ecuador to a 0-0 draw and claim the Caribbean nation's first-ever point at a World Cup.

A goalkeeping masterclass

Room made 15 saves, the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966. Ecuador generated an enormous 3.05 expected goals to Curaçao's 0.48 but simply could not beat the veteran stopper, who turned aside everything thrown at him in a performance that defied the gulf in world rankings.

Valencia left frustrated

Captain Enner Valencia had the best openings, both arriving in the first half, but could not force the ball over the line from close range. The result kept Curaçao's qualification hopes alive heading into a final-day meeting with Ivory Coast, while leaving Ecuador's fate hanging in the balance ahead of their daunting clash with Germany.