Curacao Makes History with First-Ever World Cup Point in Gritty Draw

In a Group E match of the 2024 FIFA World Cup, Curacao and Ecuador played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The result marks the first World Cup point in Curacao's history.

Match Summary

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves, equaling the record for a World Cup match without extra time, set by Tim Howard (USA) in 2014. Ecuador recorded 27 shots, while Curacao took 10. Room's saves included 10 inside the penalty area.

"It feels like a victory for us. It's the first point in the World Cup for us."
— Eloy Room, Curacao goalkeeper

Key Events

• 2nd minute: Ecuador captain Enner Valencia was denied by Room from close range.
• First half: Valencia and John Yeboah tested Room.
• Second half: Room made saves from Moisés Caicedo, a deflected header, and efforts from Kevin Rodríguez, Enner Valencia, and Willian Pacho.
• Late chances: Ecuador hit the woodwork through a cross from Ángelo Preciado; Valencia missed a late scoring opportunity.

Team Background and Statistics

• Curacao is ranked 83rd by FIFA; Ecuador is ranked over 50 places higher.
• Curacao's population is approximately 160,000; attendance at the match was 68,598.
• The team is coached by Dick Advocaat, the oldest manager at the World Cup.
• 25 of the 26 squad members were born in the Netherlands. Curacao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• Curacao lost its World Cup debut 7-1 to Germany.
• Eloy Room, 37, represented the Netherlands at the U20 level and switched to Curacao in 2015. He was without a club for much of 2025 before signing with Miami FC (USL Championship).

Statements

"I'm so proud. We have come from nothing and they fought like lions. It will be a big party on the island tonight and they deserve it."
— Dick Advocaat, Curacao head coach

"Well, there are things you cannot explain in football... I am the one who bears responsibility. ... It is normal to feel this pain but we still have a chance to put things right."
— Sebastián Beccacece, Ecuador head coach

Attendance and Aftermath

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended the match; the queen wore a Curacao shirt. After the match, Room and his teammates celebrated in the locker room with the royal couple.

Room called the match "the greatest night of my career."

Group Standings and Next Matches

Germany leads Group E after a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast, Curacao, and Ecuador compete for the second spot.

• Curacao will face Ivory Coast on June 25, 2026, in Philadelphia.
• Ecuador must defeat Germany in their final group match to have a chance to advance.