Ecuador's lightning start was almost rewarded in the third minute when Moisés Caicedo's ball from deep sent Enner Valencia on his way. After getting past Armando Obispo, Valencia's shot was brilliantly tipped behind by Room. The Curaçao goalkeeper continued to frustrate Ecuador, with John Yeboah seeing his low drive well held before Room thwarted Valencia once again from close range after he latched on to Piero Hincapié's teasing ball into the penalty area.
Yeboah's stinging 42nd-minute effort brought another save out of Room as Curaçao held on until half-time. Ecuador's pressure grew after the break as Caicedo tried his luck from distance and forced another stop. It was another intervention by Room from Gonzalo Plata's header that led to a rare Curaçao counter, but Hernán Galíndez was on his toes to make two important saves to repel Leandro Bacuna and Livano Comenencia's attempts in quick succession.
Room's extraordinary outing carried on just after the hour when he got down low to push Valencia's header behind. The resulting corner saw some heroic defending by Sherel Floranus, followed by Willian Pacho seeing his strike saved. Both sides threatened a winner late on, with Galindez making a vital reflex stop to thwart Juninho Bacuna's deflected effort, though Room continued to outdo his opposite number with a flying stop to tip Pedro Vite's drilled shot over.
Even when Room was powerless, the woodwork was there to back him up in the 90th minute after Ángelo Preciado's cross clipped the crossbar. Curaçao were able to hold on to spark wild scenes among their travelling supporters.
Room Ties World Cup Record for Saves in a Single Match
Having already seen 40-year-old Vozinha put in a sensational goalkeeping display for fellow World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their goalless draw with Spain, Room produced an at least equally impressive performance here to help his team make history. Many would have been disheartened after letting seven goals in against Germany, but Room dusted himself down and made 15 saves, which is tied for the most in a single match in World Cup history, along with Tim Howard against Belgium in 2014, though that match did go to extra-time.
Ecuador's Attack Falls Short Again
For Ecuador, it was the same old story. After hitting the woodwork three times against Ivory Coast, their 15 shots on target here was the highest for a CONMEBOL nation in a World Cup match on record since 1966, and the second-highest overall this century, behind the 17 for Belgium against the United States in 2014.
The result also saw Ecuador lose back-to-back matches for the first time since June 2024, while they are now winless in their last four World Cup matches, which is their longest run without a victory in the competition's history. Ecuador finished with an expected goals total of 3.05 from their 27 shots, compared to Curaçao's 0.48 from their 10 attempts. Sebastian Beccacece's side knowing they must beat Germany in their final Group E clash to stand any chance of advancing.
