World Cup 2026: Eloy Room equals saves record as Curacao create history

The outcome seemed inevitable as Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia raced towards Curacao’s goal in the first three minutes of the game.

He looked confident of scoring as he was about 10 yards out and only needed to beat the keeper. It would give Curacao a mountain to climb and, just like Germany’s 7-1 World Cup opener, could set the tone for what was to come.

But goalkeeper Eloy Room guessed where Valencia’s shot would go, leaned to his left and clawed the ball around the post. It was an improbable, barely believable save.

And indeed the tone was set.

BBC Sports pundit and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown joked that a calculator might be needed to calculate how many times Room saved his team throughout the match.

However, while Curacao, playing for the first time in the World Cup, celebrated their first points in the tournament, it was Ecuador that counted the price of the chances they missed.

Miami FC’s 37-year-old goalkeeper Room produced a remarkable, record-equalling performance, making 15 saves to keep his country level, resulting in a goalless draw that will live long in the island nation’s memory.

According to Opta, no goalkeeper has stood this many times per 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966.

Only Tim Howard has scored that many goals in a single game, but unlike Room, he kept a clean sheet after losing twice in overtime for the USA against Belgium in 2014.

“Say hello Room,” Keown said on BBC One after the 0-0 draw.

“Absolutely amazing. The number of saves, you almost took out a calculator at the end of the game to count them.

“This has now become the rescuers’ shopping list. Their reaction was first class. It looked like he was destined to keep a clean sheet all night.”

It was a performance that inspired Room’s country to its greatest result yet.