World Cup minnows Curacao stun Ecuador as hero emerges by setting new document
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a stunning performance, making 15 saves as the Caribbean nation held Ecuador to a remarkable goalless draw
Curacao stunned the footballing world as they managed to hold Ecuador to a goalless draw(Image: BBC)
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced an extraordinary 15 saves to help his country claim a remarkable point against Ecuador.
Just days following a 7-1 thrashing by Germany, the tiny Caribbean island, with a population of merely 158,000, battled courageously to secure a goalless stalemate against Ecuador.
Enner Valencia registered five attempts on target for the South American side but was thwarted by Room on each occasion, while Moises Caicedo and John Yeboah also witnessed their efforts brilliantly denied by the 37 year old Miami FC keeper.
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Former Manchester United winger Tahith Chong proved Curacao’s standout performer, with his tireless running and skill helping them advance up the field, but after his substitution on 76 minutes, it became a rearguard action for Curacao.
Guided by former Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat, they stood resolute for the final 20 minutes and have given themselves an opportunity to reach the knockout rounds.
At the final whistle, enormous celebrations erupted from the Blue Wave while Room collapsed to his knees and was mobbed by his teammates, having recorded the second-highest number of saves in a single World Cup match in history, reports the Mirror.
Advocaat was also seen close to tears on the touchline before embracing his coaching team. They will meet Ivory Coast next week while Ecuador must defeat Germany, who have already secured top spot, to retain any hope of progressing.
Ecuador’s Gonzalo Plata was visibly fighting back tears, while Arsenal ace Piero Hincapie seemed utterly shocked by the outcome. Curacao’s Room has since joined Cape Verde’s Vozinha in making a splash at the World Cup, with the latter managing to keep Spain from scoring.
They are due to take on Uruguay on Sunday, with the 40-year-old’s mum anticipated to be present after visa complications prevented her from watching him play against the European champions.
