Curacao earned a first ever World Cup point as Eloy Room shut out Ecuador in a 0-0 draw at Kansas City Stadium, with the goalkeeper making 15 saves and the result also confirming Germany as Group E leaders following Germany’s earlier victory over Ivory Coast.

The goalless stalemate leaves Sebastian Beccacece’s Ecuador side needing a win against Germany in the final Group E match to keep qualification hopes alive, while Curacao’s debut campaign now includes a heavy defeat to Germany and this disciplined display that delighted a large and noisy travelling support.

Room responded strongly after conceding seven against Germany, matching the World Cup single-match saves record with 15 stops, a mark set by Tim Howard for the United States against Belgium in 2014, though Howard’s total came across 120 minutes while Room reached the same figure within normal time.

Curacao’s goalkeeper was not alone in the tournament’s standout performances, with Room following Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who had already delivered a notable clean sheet against Spain in a separate goalless draw, but Room went one step further by tying the long-standing World Cup saves benchmark.

Ecuador finished with 27 attempts to Curacao’s 10 and an expected goals total of 3.05 compared with Curacao’s 0.48, while Ecuador’s 15 shots on target represented the highest figure recorded by a CONMEBOL team at a World Cup since 1966 and the second-highest overall this century, behind Belgium’s 17 against the United States in 2014.

The result continued a difficult stretch for Ecuador, who are now without a victory in four World Cup matches, their longest such run at the tournament, and this draw also meant Ecuador suffered consecutive defeats for the first time since June 2024 after earlier group-stage losses to Ivory Coast and then Germany.

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Curacao spent much of the first half under pressure as Moises Caicedo sent Enner Valencia clear in the third minute, only for Valencia’s effort, struck after getting beyond Armando Obispo, to be diverted behind by a sharp right-handed stop from Room at the near post.

Curacao vs Ecuador World Cup: Key chances at Kansas City Stadium

Room then denied John Yeboah’s low drive before reacting quickly to block Valencia from close range after Piero Hincapie curled a dangerous ball into the area, and Yeboah’s powerful 42nd-minute shot forced another strong save as Curacao reached half-time level despite sustained Ecuador pressure.

The second half brought more one-way traffic as Caicedo tried from distance and drew yet another save, then Room’s intervention from a Gonzalo Plata header launched a rare Curacao counterattack, but Hernan Galindez reacted well at the other end to stop efforts from Leandro Bacuna and Livano Comenencia in quick succession.

Room’s workload did not ease after the hour mark, when the Curacao goalkeeper dived low to turn Valencia’s header behind, with the ensuing corner bringing brave defensive work from Sherel Floranus and a further stop from Room to block Willian Pacho’s strike as Ecuador searched for a late breakthrough.

Both teams almost stole victory near the end, as Galindez produced a reflex save from Juninho Bacuna’s deflected attempt before Room leapt to tip over a fierce drive from Pedro Vite, and when Room was finally beaten in the 90th minute, Angelo Preciado’s cross clipped the bar to preserve Curacao’s clean sheet and prompt joyous celebrations.

Curacao’s disciplined draw, built on Room’s record-equalling display and stubborn defending, secured a landmark first World Cup point and shaped Group E by sealing Germany’s position at the top, while Ecuador must now defeat Germany to have any possibility of progressing from a group that has proved unforgiving.