Ecuador's hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages suffered a major setback as they were held to a goalless draw by tournament debutants Curacao in Kansas City on Saturday.

In a match dominated by Sebastián Beccacece's side from start to finish, Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room delivered one of the most remarkable World Cup goalkeeping performances, equalling Tim Howard's tournament record of 15 saves to secure a historic first World Cup point for the smallest nation ever to appear at the finals.

The result leaves Ecuador with just one point from two Group E matches ahead of a daunting final-day meeting with Germany, while Curacao remain alive in the race for qualification after an extraordinary defensive display.

From the opening minutes, Ecuador looked eager to recover from their defeat against Ivory Coast. Enner Valencia should have given La Tri the perfect start inside three minutes when he was slipped through on goal, but Room reacted brilliantly to tip the striker's effort around the post.

Curacao, however, showed they had learned lessons from their 7-1 defeat to Germany. Dick Advocaat's side adopted a more disciplined shape and remained dangerous on the counterattack. Tahith Chong led an early three-man break before wasting the opportunity, while Sherel Floranus fired over from distance as both sides found space in transition.

Ecuador gradually tightened their grip on proceedings. Pedro Vite curled wide from the edge of the area before Valencia was again denied by Room after meeting a dangerous low cross. Gonzalo Plata tested the goalkeeper from range, and John Yeboah forced another smart stop as the South Americans piled on the pressure.

Despite Ecuador recording six shots on target and completing a World Cup first-half record of 340 successful passes, the breakthrough never arrived. Curacao remained compact and disciplined, frustrating their opponents while still threatening through Juninho Bacuna and Deveron Fonville on the break.

The turning point of the contest was not a goal, but the increasingly inspired performance of Room.

The veteran goalkeeper continued his resistance after the interval. Moisés Caicedo tested him from distance, while Ecuador introduced Kevin Rodriguez in search of greater attacking presence.

Curacao then enjoyed arguably their strongest spell of the game around the hour mark. Leandro Bacuna saw an effort saved, and Livano Comenencia came close twice as Ecuador's defence was briefly stretched.

That period proved crucial. Had Curacao taken one of those opportunities, Ecuador's World Cup campaign may have effectively ended.

Instead, Room took centre stage again.

He produced a magnificent double save to deny Valencia in the 64th minute before repeatedly frustrating Ecuador's increasingly desperate attempts to find a winner. Nilson Angulo's effort from range was comfortably gathered, while Piero Hincapié headed over from a glorious position with 15 minutes remaining.

As the clock ticked down, Ecuador threw on additional attacking reinforcements. Pedro Vite tested Room again from distance, while substitute Angelo Preciado almost snatched victory when his cross struck the crossbar in the closing minutes.

Even a late VAR check after Valencia went down in the penalty area during stoppage time could not rescue Ecuador.

When the final whistle sounded, Curacao's players celebrated as if they had won the match. In many ways, they had.

For one night in Kansas City, however, the spotlight belonged entirely to Eloy Room. His record-equalling 15-save display delivered Curacao's first-ever World Cup point and one of the tournament's most memorable moments.

Ecuador will leave this match feeling they dropped two crucial points rather than earned one.

Sebastián Beccacece's side controlled possession, territory and chance creation for long periods, registering six shots on target before half-time alone and repeatedly forcing Eloy Room into outstanding saves.

Enner Valencia, Gonzalo Plata, John Yeboah and Pedro Vite all found pockets of space, but the final touch was missing throughout the evening. Their biggest problem was efficiency rather than creativity.

Ecuador generated enough opportunities to win comfortably but lacked the composure and conviction required in decisive moments.

Against Germany, they must be far more clinical in front of goal and avoid becoming predictable in attack. The movement was encouraging, but their finishing must improve dramatically if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

This was one of the most remarkable results in Curacao's football history.

After suffering a heavy defeat to Germany in their World Cup debut, Dick Advocaat's side responded with resilience, organisation and belief.

Defensively they were outstanding, protecting their penalty area with discipline and commitment while remaining dangerous on the counterattack through Tahith Chong, Juninho Bacuna and Deveron Fonville.

The undisputed hero was Eloy Room, whose record-equalling 15-save performance matched Tim Howard's famous World Cup mark from 2014 despite not requiring extra time. Yet this result was about more than one player.

Curacao showed tremendous character, tactical discipline and collective determination. They absorbed pressure for 95 minutes and never lost concentration. For a nation of their size, securing their first-ever World Cup point represents a genuinely historic achievement.

Group E remains finely poised heading into the final round of fixtures, although Germany have already secured qualification after their victory over Ivory Coast.

The Germans sit top of the group with six points and can now approach their meeting with Ecuador from a position of strength. Ivory Coast occupy second place on three points and know that victory over Curacao would likely secure progression.

Ecuador's draw leaves them with just one point from two matches, meaning they now face a daunting task against Germany and may need a victory to have any realistic chance of reaching the knockout rounds.

Curacao, meanwhile, have breathed life into their campaign.

With one point on the board and a final match against Ivory Coast, their dream remains alive. What appeared a straightforward group has suddenly become one of the tournament's most intriguing battles.