Curacao earn first-ever World Cup point

Curacao celebrated their first-ever World Cup point after a heroic display from Eloy Room secured a 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Kansas City. The veteran goalkeeper produced a record 15 saves in a 90‑minute World Cup match, repeatedly denying an Ecuador side now facing elimination after failing to score for a second straight game. Enner Valencia forced the first big stop inside three minutes, setting the tone for a relentless Ecuadorian assault.

Room thwarted Yeboah, Vite, Plata and multiple close‑range headers as pressure mounted, while Curacao threatened sporadically through Floranus and the Bacuna brothers. Galindez made key interventions of his own, including a sharp double save, but the night belonged to Room, whose reflexes kept the debutants alive. Ecuador’s wastefulness leaves them winless in four World Cup matches and likely needing victory over Germany to advance. Curacao, buoyed by their clean sheet, now dream of progressing if they can upset Ivory Coast.