Curacao secures first World Cup point with historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador

Curacao, the smallest nation by population to ever reach a World Cup finals, just earned something no one outside the island truly expected: a point.

Goalkeeper Eloy Room turned in the performance of a lifetime on June 20, making 15 saves to hold Ecuador scoreless in a Group E match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City, Missouri. The 0-0 draw marks the first point in World Cup history for the Caribbean nation of roughly 150,000 people.

Room’s record-tying masterclass

Here’s the thing about 15 saves in a single match: it ties the all-time World Cup record for saves in a 90-minute game since tracking began in 1966. The last goalkeeper to hit that number was Tim Howard, who made 15 saves for the United States against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup round of 16.

Ecuador threw everything at Curacao. The South American side registered 29 shots, 15 of which were on target. They held 73% possession.