Eloy Room's 15 saves give Curaçao a first World Cup point

Room's 15 saves earn Curaçao a first World Cup point

Curaçao 0–0 Ecuador. Your team has its first World Cup point, and Eloy Room wrote himself into the history books with 15 saves, equalling Tim Howard's record for most stops in a single World Cup match (3)(12).

Ecuador threw everything at your goal. Room caught it all. The 37-year-old goalkeeper was named Player of the Match (4). Dick Advocaat got the defensive shape right, and his players executed the gameplan with discipline from the first whistle to the last.

Room asks for a statue back home

Eloy Room did not miss his moment. When Curaçao's minister of sports visited the dressing room, Room had a line ready: "Komt een standbeeldje op Curaçao", so, a little statue on Curaçao (11).

He earned the right to joke. 15 saves on the biggest stage. His social media following has exploded overnight, much like Kaapverdië goalkeeper Vozinha after his own World Cup heroics (2).

The King and Queen danced with your players

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were in the dressing room after the final whistle, celebrating with the squad (1)(6). Máxima's roots run deep here, born in Argentina, she has ties to the region, and she danced with the players as if she were part of the team (8)(10).

The king was seen laughing and embracing Advocaat. Royal approval for a historic night.

Advocaat on the unity he saw

Dick Advocaat kept it simple afterwards, summing up what made this team hold Ecuador: "Dan ben je allemaal één, he?", you are all one, right? (9).

He praised the collective effort, the concentration, and the belief. After the 7–1 defeat to Germany, this was the response your team needed. One point, and a whole lot of respect.

Fan reactions

The image that captured the night was not just Room's saves but the sight of Ecuador and Curaçao players praying together and embracing after the final whistle. Fans on Reddit highlighted the moment as what the World Cup is about, a tiny island nation earning its place and being embraced by its opponent in return. See the thread.