KANSAS CITY — Eloy Room delivered one of the greatest goalkeeping performances in World Cup history as Curacao earned its first-ever point at the tournament with a remarkable 0-0 draw against Ecuador on Saturday.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper made 15 saves, the highest total recorded in a World Cup match without extra time since statistics began in 1966, helping the Caribbean debutants frustrate Ecuador throughout an extraordinary night in Kansas City.
“It’s going to be an insane memory,” Room said. “For me as a goalkeeper, this is almost a perfect game.”
Room’s heroics came only days after Curacao suffered a 7-1 defeat to Germany and left the goalkeeper one save short of the overall World Cup record of 16 set by American goalkeeper Tim Howard in 2014.
“I think I need a statue in Curacao now,” Room joked.
The draw also secured Germany’s place in the knockout stage after the Germans defeated Ivory Coast earlier in the day.
Ecuador dominated possession and created numerous chances in front of a crowd heavily supporting La Tri, but Room repeatedly denied Enner Valencia, Moisés Caicedo and several other Ecuadorian attackers.
Valencia had the best opportunity of the opening half when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Room guessed correctly and pushed the effort away.
“For us it’s no shock,” Curacao midfielder Tahith Chong said. “We’ve gotten used to Eloy doing these unbelievable saves.”
Ecuador finished with 27 shots compared to Curacao’s 10, with 10 of Room’s 15 saves coming from inside the penalty area.
Curacao also created dangerous moments of its own, with coach Dick Advocaat’s side finding space behind Ecuador’s defense, although they were unable to convert their opportunities.
The result leaves both teams alive in the race for the knockout rounds. Curacao face Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on Thursday, while Ecuador meet already-qualified Germany in New York.
“Well, there are things you cannot explain in football,” Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece said. “As long as we are alive, we will continue to give it our all.”
The historic evening was witnessed by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, who traveled from Houston after watching the Dutch national team defeat Sweden.
“They were even dancing in the locker room to our music,” Room said. “That’s unreal that they witnessed this game.”
Source: Saudi Gazette