Eloy Room made 15 saves as Curaçao held Ecuador to a 0-0 World Cup draw, then said his first stop set the tone.
Eloy Room said his first save “set the tone” after producing a remarkable goalkeeping performance in Curaçao’s 0-0 draw with Ecuador at the World Cup.
Room was the standout for Curaçao as Dick Advocaat’s side claimed a historic point. After the match, he was asked about being credited with 15 saves against Ecuador.
In the press conference, the 36-year-old was told his display was the second-best goalkeeping performance ever recorded at a World Cup, and a new record for a 90-minute match. He finished just one save behind Tim Howard’s famous tally.
Room smiled at the comparison, but was quick to shift the focus back to his teammates.
“Yeah no it sounds really nice if you add it up like record howard he had 16 but I think he was sweating in front of the TV because I was close,” Room said.
“But no, it’s unbelievable and again I cannot do it alone. I did it with the team and my defenders and the midfielder strikers.
“So we did as a team but I’m happy I could do my job because first of all I’m a goalkeeper and I need to stop balls.
“For me it’s really special. But again, it’s also my job. I try to help the team out and today it worked out perfect.”
Earlier, Room spoke in Dutch about the emotion of the occasion, admitting it still had not fully sunk in that Curaçao had taken a point on the World Cup stage.
He explained that his first save helped both him and the team settle, as Curaçao had to withstand long spells of pressure from Ecuador.
Asked later in English about his favourite save of the night, Room again came back to the importance of the first one.
“I think the most important save was the first one because that set the tone of the game and if the ball went in it was a difficult game,” Room said.
“So I think that was one of one of the best but all the other I don’t even remember how they were. So I kind of look them back afterwards.”
Room was also asked about the atmosphere in Kansas City, with the reporter noting that the same stadium had already hosted a major Lionel Messi performance earlier in the week.
“No, you put me in a nice, nice line with Messi,” Room said.
“I don’t know what it is. I never played in the stadium, but it felt good to me. So, I think this is gonna be my favourite city now.”
Curaçao’s point was a strong response after their heavy defeat to Germany earlier in the tournament. Advocaat admitted the Germany game had come too soon for his side, but felt the team looked much more like itself against Ecuador.
Room’s performance was the headline, even if he was eager to share the credit. Curaçao needed him time and again, and he delivered on the biggest stage of his career.
For a team still finding its feet at this level, a 0-0 draw with Ecuador felt like more than just survival. It was a result built on discipline, resilience, and one of the standout goalkeeping displays of the tournament so far.
Room might call stopping shots his job, but this was anything but a routine night.
