Goalkeeper Eloy Room became Curacao's hero, saving a barrage of shots from Ecuador to help the small Caribbean island nation earn its first ever World Cup point with a scoreless draw in Kansas City on June 20.
Ecuador, South America's second-placed qualifier, fired a total of 28 shots, 15 on target, but Room stood firm against every challenge. With 15 saves, Room set a record for the most saves in a World Cup match without extra time since 1966.
Curacao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup, had lost heavily to Germany 7-1 in their opener but quickly regained pride in the American Midwest. The team was cheered on by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, as Curacao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In the 26-player squad led by experienced coach Dick Advocaat, 25 were born in the Netherlands and most play in the Dutch domestic league. Ecuadorian fans packed Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, overwhelmingly outnumbering the few Curacao supporters.
The match was fast-paced from the start. In the 3rd minute, former West Ham striker Enner Valencia raced through on goal, but Room pushed his shot wide. At the other end, Sherel Floranus fired over the bar, showing Curacao also possessed dangerous counter-attacking speed.
Valencia again failed to beat Room from close range, and Jordy Alcivar also had a shot, but Ecuador dominated possession. The first half ended with Ecuador holding 65% of the ball but no goals scored.
Early in the second half, Ecuador nearly broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when Gonzalo Plata headed goalward, but Room made another save. Curacao then had a flurry of chances. Ecuador, ranked more than 50 places above Curacao in FIFA's standings, grew increasingly frustrated as they failed to score.
In the closing minutes, chances kept coming but Room remained unyielding. Ecuador substitute Angelo Preciado's cross deflected off the crossbar and out. When the final whistle blew, Curacao players mobbed Room, celebrating a historic point.
In the concurrent match, four-time world champion Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Toronto, securing a spot in the round of 32. Curacao's draw left Germany atop Group E. Ecuador will face Germany next Thursday, while Curacao takes on Ivory Coast.
