The smallest nation in FIFA World Cup history just secured its first point on the global stage. Curaçao played Ecuador to a 0-0 draw on Sunday in Kansas City, backed by an astonishing 15-save performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room.
The 37-year-old veteran faced 26 total shots during the 90-minute regulation, functioning as a one-man barrier to keep his team alive in the tournament. The result arrives just days after manager Dick Advocaat’s squad suffered a 7-1 opening loss to Germany.
Entering the match as heavy underdogs, the Caribbean island nation of roughly 158,000 residents relied entirely on Room to absorb consistent pressure from the Ecuadorian attack. His 15 stops set a new record for the most saves by a goalkeeper in a standard 90-minute World Cup match.
He fell just one save short of tying the all-time tournament record of 16 saves, set by Tim Howard during a 120-minute match against Belgium in 2014.
Room, who currently plays for Miami FC in the USL Championship, commanded the penalty area through relentless sequences to maintain the clean sheet. The point places Curaçao in a position where a victory in their upcoming group stage finale against Ivory Coast could see them advance to the knockout rounds.