Eloy Room Breaks Saves Record as Curacao Make History with First-Ever World Cup Point
Ecuador's World Cup hopes are in doubt after being held to a goalless draw by Curacao in Kansas City. The Caribbean nation earned their first-ever World Cup point in the process, with goalkeeper Eloy Room setting a record for most saves in a 90-minute World Cup match with 15 stops.
The best chance of the first half fell to Ecuador's Enner Valencia, but his shot was saved by Room. Curacao's Sherel Floranus and John Yeboah also had opportunities, while Ecuador's Pedro Vite and Gonzalo Plata tested Room's resolve before halftime.
In the second half, Ecuador continued to dominate, with Moises Caicedo and Plata trying their luck, but Room was equal to the task. Curacao almost took the lead when Hernan Galindez made a smart double stop to deny Leandro Bacuna and Livano Comenencia.
Room's impressive performance continued as he denied Valencia, Kevin Rodriguez, and Nilson Angulo, while Piero Hincapie missed a header from close range. Curacao still posed a threat on the break, with Juninho Bacuna and Angulo testing Galindez and Room respectively.
Ecuador's failure to score has left them winless in four World Cup matches, and they will likely need to beat Germany in their final group game to progress. Curacao, meanwhile, will be delighted with the clean sheet and their first-ever World Cup point, and could advance to the knockouts with a win over Ivory Coast on matchday three.
The best chance of the first half fell to Ecuador's Enner Valencia, but his shot was saved by Room. Curacao's Sherel Floranus and John Yeboah also had opportunities, while Ecuador's Pedro Vite and Gonzalo Plata tested Room's resolve before halftime.
In the second half, Ecuador continued to dominate, with Moises Caicedo and Plata trying their luck, but Room was equal to the task. Curacao almost took the lead when Hernan Galindez made a smart double stop to deny Leandro Bacuna and Livano Comenencia.
Room's impressive performance continued as he denied Valencia, Kevin Rodriguez, and Nilson Angulo, while Piero Hincapie missed a header from close range. Curacao still posed a threat on the break, with Juninho Bacuna and Angulo testing Galindez and Room respectively.
Ecuador's failure to score has left them winless in four World Cup matches, and they will likely need to beat Germany in their final group game to progress. Curacao, meanwhile, will be delighted with the clean sheet and their first-ever World Cup point, and could advance to the knockouts with a win over Ivory Coast on matchday three.
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