Top News

Curacao’s veteran goalkeeper Eloy Room etched his name into FIFA World Cup history with a remarkable 15-save performance, helping the small Caribbean nation secure their first-ever point at the tournament following a goalless draw against Ecuador.

The 37-year-old shattered the record for the most saves made in a 90-minute World Cup match since official data collection began in 1966. Only the United States’ Tim Howard has recorded more in a single World Cup game, with 16 stops in an extra-time defeat to Belgium in 2014.

With a population of just 156,000, Curacao is the smallest country ever to compete at the World Cup. Room’s heroics follow another memorable showing from a fellow island goalkeeper, Cape Verde’s Vozinha, who impressed in their own 0-0 draw against Spain.

“I think I need a statue in Curacao now,” Room joked after the match. His social media presence surged dramatically, with the goalkeeper gaining more than 600,000 new followers within hours of the game. “For me as a goalkeeper, this is almost a perfect game,” he added with a smile.

Born in the Netherlands near the German border, Room spent most of his professional career in Dutch football. He made his international debut for Curacao in 2015 after being persuaded to join the team by Patrick Kluivert, the former Netherlands international who was managing Curacao at the time. Room qualified to represent the island through his father.

Room’s first major achievement for Curacao came during the 2019 Gold Cup, when he played a key role in a historic victory over Honduras — the island’s first win at the tournament. After stints with Vitesse in the Netherlands and Cercle Brugge in Belgium, Room signed with Miami FC in the USL Championship as a free agent in January 2026.

The previous November, Room ensured a clean sheet in a crucial 0-0 draw against Jamaica, a result that clinched Curacao’s first-ever qualification for the World Cup. Managed by former Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat, Curacao made their tournament debut against Germany but suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat in their opening Group E match.

That loss made Curacao’s defiant display against Ecuador all the more impressive. Ecuador registered 27 shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.05, yet Room stood tall every time it mattered. His standout saves included close-range efforts from Enner Valencia and long-range strikes from Moises Caicedo and John Yeboah.

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room was visibly emotional as he celebrated with his teammates following the final whistle in Kansas City.

“Maybe Germany came too early,” Advocaat admitted. “That day they were simply out of our league, but today the team stood as it should have. They fought like lions, and you see what can be achieved when you face a team playing at such a high level with players of great individual quality.”

The historic performance took place in front of the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, who had earlier attended the Dutch national team’s victory over Sweden in Houston. As an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao’s success carried special significance for both nations.

Now, perhaps, Curacao has found new royalty in their 37-year-old shot-stopper, who spent much of his career as a backup in Dutch football. “The first save set the tone, for me and for the team,” Room reflected. “It gave me confidence, and we all grew from there. This was a collective effort. We fought until the last minute. Earning a point like this for Curacao is truly special.”