Ecuador vs Curacao: Eloy Room 15 Saves Earn a Historic Point
Updated 21 June 2026.
Ecuador vs Curacao at World Cup 2026 finished 0-0, goalkeeper Eloy Room making 15 saves to earn Curacao the first point in their World Cup history. Ecuador piled on 15 shots without scoring, the most in a World Cup match without a goal since 1966, and now must beat Germany in their final group game to be sure of the Round of 32.
| Match facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | Ecuador 0-0 Curacao |
| Competition | World Cup 2026, Group E |
| Venue | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Curacao hero | Eloy Room, 15 saves |
| Ecuador shots | 15 (none scored) |
| Shape | Curacao 5-4-1, deep block |
Ecuador vs Curacao World Cup 2026: how it finished goalless
Curacao held on through sheer goalkeeping. Eloy Room produced 15 saves, equalling Tim Howard’s single-match World Cup record, to keep Ecuador out and bank a point nobody outside the Curacao camp expected. Dick Advocaat’s side sat in a disciplined 5-4-1 and dared Ecuador to break them down, and Ecuador never quite did.
The pressure was relentless and one-sided. Ecuador registered 15 shots without finding the net, the most in a World Cup game without a goal since 1966, with Enner Valencia twice denied, once by Room and once by a last-ditch Jurrien Gaari block. The eye test and the numbers agreed: this was wasteful, not unlucky.
What it means for Group E
The draw leaves Ecuador on a single point and in real trouble, needing to beat group leaders Germany in the final round to guarantee a knockout place. Curacao have their first World Cup point and travel to face Cote d’Ivoire next, still alive in the group. ESPN framed Room’s display as a save count that tied Tim Howard’s World Cup record. Track the full table on our group standings tracker and the live standings page.
What is next
Ecuador close Group E against Germany while Curacao meet Cote d’Ivoire, with kick-offs on our fixtures page and goals live on live scores. Read how Germany sealed their place in our Germany vs Cote d’Ivoire report and Ecuador’s opening loss in our Cote d’Ivoire vs Ecuador report, and see the full schedule in our complete World Cup 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Ecuador vs Curacao?
Ecuador vs Curacao finished 0-0 in their World Cup 2026 Group E match on 20 June at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, with Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room making 15 saves to earn a historic first World Cup point.
How many saves did Eloy Room make against Ecuador?
Eloy Room made 15 saves, equalling Tim Howard’s single-match World Cup saves record, as Curacao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw.
Can Ecuador still qualify for the Round of 32?
Yes, but the draw means Ecuador likely need to beat Germany in their final Group E fixture to be certain of reaching the World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
Sources: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E, ESPN match report and the FIFA match centre.
