World Cup 2026: Eloy Room equals saves record and Curacao makes history


Early in the game, Ecuador striker Enner Valencia headed towards Curacao's goal and it seemed inevitable that he would open the scoring. A few meters from the goal, with only the goalkeeper ahead, the expectation was that Valencia would score. This could have complicated life for Curacao, as happened in the 7-1 defeat to Germany in their World Cup debut. But goalkeeper Eloy Room, 37, a Miami FC player, anticipated Valencia's shot, flew low to his left and deflected the ball wide. This incredible defense set the tone for the match. At the end of the game, BBC commentator Martin Keown joked that he would need a calculator to calculate the number of saves Room made to save his team. However, it was the Ecuadorian players who counted the losses for not taking advantage of their chances, while Curacao celebrated its first point in World Cup history. Room put in a remarkable performance, equaling a record with 15 saves, keeping his team alive and securing a goalless draw that will forever be remembered by his nation. Since records began in 1966, no goalkeeper has made more saves in 90 minutes of World Cup action, according to Opta. Only Tim Howard made so many saves in a single match, but unlike Room, he was unable to keep the net unbeaten as he conceded two goals in extra time in 2014 when the USA faced Belgium. After the 0–0 draw, Room joked that Howard would be "sweating at home" watching the game and stated that he "deserves a statue in Curacao". "Give Room a round of applause," praised Keown on BBC One. "Absolutely magnificent. The number of saves was so great that we almost needed a calculator at the end of the game. It was a list of saves. His reactions were first class. He looked set to keep the scoreboard at zero all night." This performance inspired Room and his team to achieve the greatest result in their history. The fact that Curacao is in the competition is largely due to the Dutch-born goalkeeper, who made a crucial save in a 0-0 draw with Jamaica, ensuring the team's qualification in November. Patrick Kluivert, a former striker, was responsible for convincing Room to represent his father's country, where the goalkeeper was born. From Nijmegen in the Netherlands, Room began his career in the Eredivisie, racking up more than 200 appearances over a decade, including a title with PSV and a cup win with Vitesse, before moving to the US where he played for the Columbus Crew in 2019. After winning the MLS Cup with the Crew in 2020 and receiving the defender of the year award, Room briefly returned to Europe but eventually returned to the US to play for Miami FC, who compete in the second division. The goalkeeper, who loves playing padel and believes it helps improve his reflexes, made 15 saves in a single World Cup game but has not made more than five in any of his nine league games this season. The game in which he made five saves was in a 4-3 victory over Louisville City at Miami FC's Pitbull Stadium, which has a capacity of 20,000 but only had 713 fans in attendance that night. However, in front of 68,598 fans at Kansas City Stadium, he wrote his name in World Cup history with a series of incredible saves (out of a total of 27shots) and stopped Ecuador, who had an xG of 3.05. “I still need to process this,” Room said. "The match was full of emotions. I knew it would be a difficult game. The first defense already set the tone, also for the team. It gave me confidence and I grew, we all grew, it was a collective effort. Fighting until the last minute and getting a point like that for Curacao is absolutely incredible." Room's showing also helped create history for the island nation in its first World Cup. There was euphoria when they equalized against Germany on their debut, but ended up being thrashed by seven goals. Now, Curacao would face Ecuador, a country ranked more than 50 places above them in the rankings and looking to bounce back after their defeat to Ivory Coast. With a population of just 156,000 and an area smaller than the Isle of Man, Curacao is the smallest nation to compete in the World Cup. The Caribbean island is an autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Dutch royalty, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, were in the stands to watch Dick Advocaat's team's surprising performance. This is only the third time that a team ranked 80th or lower in the FIFA rankings has won a World Cup point (Curacao was 82nd before this game). Hosts South Africa picked up four points in 2010 (ranked 83rd), while New Zealand were also 82nd before their draw with Iran this year. "Tonight is all about Curacao and what they did, what they achieved and this will be like a victory for them," Keown said. "It's an important step in world football. They didn't come here just to make up the numbers - this is an exceptional result for them." Curacao now face Ivory Coast in their final Group E game and, with that point secured, if they pull off a big upset and beat the African team, they will be in the next round. But regardless of what happens, that night will forever be remembered for the small nation that overcame its limitations.

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