Ecuador held 0–0 by Curaçao, Germany showdown now a must-win

Curaçao 0–0 Ecuador: World Cup hopes now on the edge

Your team needed a win. They got a brick wall instead. Ecuador 0–0 Curaçao on Sunday night, and the draw leaves Beccacece's squad with one point from two Group E matches (3) (4). The 19-match unbeaten run that stretched back to September 2024 is now a distant memory, the Ivorians ended it in the opener, and Curaçao just made things a whole lot tighter.

Curaçao earned their first World Cup point and celebrated like they had won the tournament (4). For Ecuador, the math is simple and cruel: beat Germany on Thursday or go home.

Late penalty shout waved away, ex-referee says it was correct

The moment that will be replayed all week. Ecuador appealed for a penalty late in the match, with your players convinced they had been wronged. Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett reviewed it and sided with the official on the pitch, Ning Ma.

"I think the player knew exactly what he was doing there," Hackett said. "He cleverly puts the brakes on and starts to go down. So for me, it's not a penalty kick" (5).

He called it "a clever act of simulation" designed to pressure the referee, and said Ma got it right. That will not make it any easier to swallow.

Eloy Room stood on his head, Curaçao want a statue

Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced the performance of his life. Fans back home are already campaigning for a statue.

"Room didn't play for himself. He played for the whole island, for everyone who believes in Curaçao and for everyone who is no longer here," one supporter wrote. "His joke about a statue felt like something that should actually become reality" (6).

Patrick van Aanholt singled out Room and another teammate as the standouts, calling the performance "very strong" (3). A fan in Groningen was so moved she painted her entire house blue for Curaçao the night of the match (7).

Thursday: Germany, Tori Penso, and a must-win

Tori Penso will referee Ecuador's group-stage match against Germany (1). The Germans are already debating whether Deniz Undav starts or comes off the bench (2).

The match is on Thursday, and it is now everything. Ecuador entered this tournament with a 19-game unbeaten streak and real belief. That streak is gone. The Ivory Coast opener was a 90th-minute gut punch. The Curaçao draw was a goalless frustration. Germany is the last chance.

Fan reactions

Ecuador fans are split between fury at the penalty decision and deep concern about where the goals have gone. Two World Cup matches, zero scored. The chatter online is already turning toward Beccacece's job and whether this golden generation is about to go out with a whimper. Join the discussion here.