Room at the top as Curaçao frustrate Ecuador to keep World Cup campaign alive

World Cup 2026

Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a string of saves on Saturday night in Kansas City to help his teammates claim their first point at a World Cup following a 0-0 draw with Ecuador.

Issued on: 21/06/2026 - 05:33

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Room, who plays his club football for Miami FC in the second-tier USL Championship in the United States, made 15 saves during the game to thwart Ecuador, who were seeking to relaunch their World Cup after losing their opening game 1-0 to Cote d'Ivoire.

Curaçao endured a worse fate in their first game at a World Cup: Germany annihilated them 7-1.

But they bounced back impressively, with their 37-year-old goalkeeper in the vanguard of the collective heroics.

He set the tone from the third minute of the game. Ecuador striker Enner Valencia broke through but Room moved instinctively to his left and saved the shot.

Throughout the rest of the match, no matter what Ecuador threw at him, he conjured up a response.

At the final whistle, Room, who was deemed man of the match, fell to his knees and bowed his head to the turf as the Curaçao fans sang and danced in delight in the stands.

"I didn't count the saves," said Room. "As a team it was just about fighting and stopping. We gave everything. This is what football is about. We must congratulate ourselves and celebrate."

First contact: Curaçao’s rise to the global stage

Germany win Group E

The stalemate allowed Germany to claim Group E after they came from behind to beat Cote d'Ivoire 2-1 in Toronto.

The result also sets up a final round of games on 24 June in which Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador and Curaçao can all take second place and gain automatic qualification for the knockout stages – or set themselves up to progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Cote d'Ivoire take on Curaçao in Philadelphia, while Germany face Ecuador In New Jersey.

"We still have everything to play for," said Ivorian coach Emerse Faé just after the defeat against Germany.

"I'm really happy with the performance of my players," he added. "Our primary objective is to get out of the group phase."

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