Meet the record-equalling keeper who helped Curacao make history
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Eloy Room made 15 saves in Curacao's 0-0 draw with Ecuador, equalling Tim Howard's record for most saves in a single World Cup match since records began in 1966
- Ecuador peppered Curacao's goal with 27 shots and posted an xG of 3.05 at Kansas City Stadium (68,598 spectators) but failed to score — unlike Howard's USA, Room kept a clean sheet
- The result was Curacao's first-ever World Cup point, and the Caribbean island (population 156,000) became just the third team ranked 80th or lower to earn a World Cup point, after South Africa (2010) and New Zealand
- Room, a 37-year-old Miami FC keeper, also played a decisive role in Curacao's qualification with a key save in a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in November
- Born in Nijmegen, Room was called up by Patrick Kluivert in 2015, won the 2020 MLS Cup with Columbus Crew, and earlier in his career claimed an Eredivisie title with PSV
- Curacao face Ivory Coast in their final Group E fixture, and a win would send the tournament's smallest-ever participating nation into the round of 32
Why it matters: Curacao — the smallest nation ever to compete at a World Cup — had been thrashed 7-1 by Germany in their opener, making this goalless draw a stunning reversal. With one point secured and a final group game against Ivory Coast, qualification for the knockout rounds remains within reach, while Room's record-equalling performance gives the 156,000-strong island its most significant sporting result in living memory.
Ask SkimNews
