Eloy Room, Curacao's World Cup history-making required a near-record for 37-year old goalie

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Curacao is officially the smallest nation ever to earn a point at the FIFA World Cup.

They did it on Saturday night with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.

They would not have done it without goalkeeper Eloy Room.

Room made 15 saves in one of the most heroic performances you'll ever see. Curacao worked hard all over the pitch to secure the draw, but it was the 37-year old keeper who stood as the impervious last line of defense.

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That's the second-most saves ever made in a World Cup match. Only Tim Howard of the United States made more in his epic 16-save performance in the knockout rounds against Belgium more than a decade ago.

All 15 saves from Curaçao’s @EloyRoom, the 2nd-most ever in a Men’s FIFA World Cup match

The 37-year-old @USLChampionship goalkeeper for @TheMiamiFC was just one save shy of Tim Howard’s record 16 saves pic.twitter.com/vKXiHuLp0n

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2026

It's a special moment for Room, who was actually born in the Netherlands but represents Curacao as part of his father's heritage.

He has played in goal for Curacao dating back to June 2015, a time when it would've been hard to imagine the small nation ever reaching a World Cup.

But in the key qualifying match against Jamaica that earned Curacao its spot, Room kept a clean sheet. He's been there on this whole journey.

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And now, the well-traveled keeper who plays for Miami FC in the second division of soccer in the United States has had his crowning moment.

Ecuador brought immense pressure on Room's goal throughout Saturday night's game.

Room wouldn't be beaten, though. He had worked too hard to get here. This was his night.

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• Messi, Mbappe, Haaland provide a World Cup day made in heaven
• Cape Verde pulls off one of craziest results in World Cup history
• Pink cleats are everywhere at the World Cup

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