Eloy Room's 15-save masterclass earns Curacao their first-ever World Cup point against Ecuador

Eloy Room produced one of the most extraordinary goalkeeping performances in World Cup history on Wednesday, making 15 saves as Curacao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in Kansas City to claim their first-ever point at the tournament.

Room’s tally is the most saves recorded by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966, and it was the defining reason Dick Advocaat’s side survived a relentless Ecuadorian assault. The result is a landmark moment for a Caribbean nation of just 158,000 people, and it keeps Curacao’s improbable hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive heading into their final Group E fixture against Ivory Coast.

The performance was remarkable from the opening minutes. Room denied Enner Valencia with a brilliant stop as early as the third minute and was called into action repeatedly throughout, keeping out Gonzalo Plata and making an impressive low save to again frustrate Valencia. He later denied Valencia and Kevin Rodriguez in quick succession as Ecuador pressed for a breakthrough that never came.

Curacao were not entirely without attacking ambition. Former Manchester United midfielder Tahith Chong squandered a three-on-two opportunity, while Juninho Bacuna had a shot blocked inside the penalty area. On the hour mark, the Caribbean side came closest to taking the lead themselves, with Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez making a double stop to deny Leandro Bacuna and Livano Comenencia before Moises Caicedo blocked Jurgen Locadia’s follow-up.

Ecuador continued to press and came agonisingly close on several occasions. Piero Hincapie sent a free header over the bar, Plata somehow missed after bursting into the area, and Rodriguez struck the crossbar with a cross-shot. Each time, either Room or fortune kept Curacao level.

The draw is a stunning turnaround for a side that conceded seven goals to Germany in their opening game. Whether they can complete an even greater upset against Ivory Coast remains to be seen, but Room’s record-breaking night has already written Curacao into World Cup folklore.