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Curacao Earn First World Cup Point Behind Eloy Room's Record 15 Saves as Germany Clinch Knockout Spot

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador to seal the tiny nation's first World Cup point, while Germany rallied late to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 and reach the round of 32.

By Editor3 min read
Curacao Earn First World Cup Point Behind Eloy Room's Record 15 Saves as Germany Clinch Knockout Spot
FIFA World Cup 2026Curacao Ecuador 0-0Eloy Room 15 savesGermany Ivory Coast 2-1Deniz UndavNetherlands Sweden 5-1World Cup Matchday 10

Results and upcoming fixtures from the live matchday coverage:

  • Netherlands defeat Sweden 5-1
  • Germany defeat Ivory Coast 2-1
  • Ecuador draw with Curacao 0-0
  • Tunisia vs Japan at 2pm AEST

Room's 15-save stand gives Curacao first World Cup point

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero against Ecuador on Saturday, keeping out a barrage of shots to help the tiny Caribbean nation claim their first ever World Cup point in a goalless draw that keeps alive their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.

Ecuador, who finished second in South American qualifying had 28 shots, including 15 on target, but Room stood firm in an astonishing display in Kansas City. His 15 saves are the most on record, since 1966, by any goalkeeper in a World Cup match that did not feature extra-time.

World Cup debutants Curacao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the tournaments, slumped to a 7-1 defeat against Germany in their opening match but restored pride in the American Midwest.

Ecuador fans turned Arrowhead Stadium, the home of NFL team Kansas City Chiefs, yellow, hugely outnumbering supporters of Curacao. But Curacao had royalty on their side in the form of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. The island is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Out of their 26-strong squad, managed by vastly experienced Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, 25 were born in the Netherlands, and most play their football there.

The match started at a fizzing pace. Ecuador seemed certain to open the scoring in the third minute when former West Ham forward Enner Valencia burst through the middle but Room tipped the ball around the post. Sherel Floranus fired over at the other end as Curacao showed their pace on the break.

Valencia failed to beat Room from close range before Jordy Alcivar had an effort as Ecuador continued to dominate possession. The South American team ended the first half with 65 percent of possession but nothing to show for their dominance.

They went close to breaking the deadlock just before the hour mark but Room kept out a Gonzala Plata header, before a flurry of Curacao chances. Ecuador, more than 50 places higher than Curacao in the FIFA rankings, looked increasingly frazzled as they pressed for a goal.

As the match neared its end, chances continued to come thick and fast but Room stood firm. Ecuador substitute Angelo Preciado mishit a cross that bounced off the top of the crossbar and went behind.

The Curacao players swarmed around Room at the end of the match, celebrating an extraordinary point. Earlier, four-time champions Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Toronto, ensuring their qualification for the round of 32. Curacao's draw ensures Germany will top the group. Ecuador will play Germany on Thursday while Curacao take on Ivory Coast.

Germany reach round of 32 for first time since 2014

Germany reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time since 2014 with a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday.

Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice, including the crucial goal four minutes into injury time, triggering a massive roar from the overwhelmingly pro-German crowd of 43,000 in Toronto.

Germany had not advanced from the group stage since winning the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and coach Julian Nagelsmann had been under huge pressure to make that breakthrough. Ivory Coast took a first-half lead before Germany turned the match around late.

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