Prior to the match, few Ecuador fans, or indeed many others, were familiar with the name Eloy Room. However, his performance in this game ensured that he would be unforgettable.
With King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in attendance, the Curaçao goalkeeper delivered a display that will be remembered as one of the most heroic in World Cup history.
At 37, Room, who has largely been a backup in his career within the Eredivisie, came tantalizingly close to surpassing Tim Howard’s record of 16 saves in a single men’s World Cup match set in 2014, a feat achieved during extra time. His efforts secured a historic first point for the nation with the smallest population ever to reach a World Cup finals, as Dick Advocaat’s team rebounded from their 7-1 defeat to Germany just days earlier.
For Ecuador, the match ended in disappointment, leaving them to face their fans’ jeers as Curaçao celebrated with their supporters. They now realize that victory against Germany in their final group match is essential to maintain their hopes of advancing.
The overwhelming defeat to Germany had not diminished the enthusiasm of Curaçao’s fans, with estimates suggesting that up to 5% of their 160,000 population made the trip to the United States. They certainly held their own in the pre-match atmosphere at what is dubbed the loudest stadium in the world, typically home to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite a section of blue-clad fans bringing their brass band to perform the national anthem, they were heavily outnumbered by an eager Ecuadorian crowd, bolstered by a significant local expat community eager to bounce back from their unexpected loss to Côte d’Ivoire, which snapped a 19-match unbeaten streak.
Coach Sebastián Beccacece, an Argentinian with a history at Lionel Messi’s former club, Newell’s Old Boys, had warned his team against underestimating their opponents, ranked 83rd by FIFA. “We are not Germany,” he cautioned ahead of the match.
With a lineup featuring players from top European clubs, such as Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié and Willian Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain, La Tri were expected to perform well after finishing second in the South American qualifiers.
Enner Valencia could have calmed any nerves early on, breaking through on goal within the opening two minutes. Yet, Room’s exceptional save deflected his shot around the post, showcasing his skills.
Having witnessed Ronald Koeman’s side deliver a resounding 5-1 victory over Sweden earlier in Houston, King Willem may have braced for a disappointing outcome for the territory, which lies just under 40 miles from the South American coast, colonized by the Dutch in the 17th century. However, Curaçao demonstrated they were not merely participants, as a dynamic run from Tahith Chong of Sheffield United, the only island-born player in the squad, injected excitement into the game.
Encouraged by the space available on the flanks due to Ecuador’s high wing-backs, Advocaat noted the growing frustration for Beccacece as Pedro Vite shot wide, and careless passing undermined their possession dominance. Just before halftime, both Valencia and John Yeboah tested Room, but the goalkeeper was up to the task once more.
In the second half, Beccacece decided to make a change, substituting Jordy Alcívar, who had received a yellow card, for Kevin Rodríguez. Room continued his impressive performance, making a straightforward save from Moisés Caicedo before somehow stopping a deflected header from a corner.
As Curaçao began to tire under pressure, they remained a threat on counterattacks. A clever backheel from Bacuna set up his brother and captain Leandro, forcing goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez into a series of remarkable saves from Livano Comenencia and Jürgen Locadia.
Room’s heroics were again on display moments later, as he thwarted a powerful header from Rodríguez and subsequent attempts from Valencia and Pacho. Hincapié then missed a chance with a header before Valencia squandered a golden opportunity, leaving Ecuador with much to ponder moving forward.
