Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room did well as his side held Ecuador 0-0 in their FIFA World Cup Group E match on Saturday (local time), giving the island nation its first place in the competition.The result confirmed Germany’s place in the knockout stages after a 2-1 win against Ivory Coast earlier in the day.Room, 37, made 15 saves against Ecuador and was named FIFA Man of the Match. His tally is the highest ever recorded in a 90-minute World Cup and the only shutout in 16 World Cup games, set by United States midfielder Tim Howard against Belgium on July 1, 2014, since saves became the official tally in 1966.The Curacao goalkeeper helped his country reach its first World Cup by keeping a clean sheet against Jamaica last November. After conceding seven goals in a 7-1 rout of Germany earlier in the tournament, he responded with one of the most memorable World Cup performances.The draw puts both teams in contention for a place in the finals, but leaves Ecuador under pressure to qualify for the finals. On Thursday, Curacao will face Ivory Coast in Philadelphia, while Ecuador will face Germany in New York.Ecuador enjoyed strong support in the stadiums at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. Yellow-clad supporters filled the main stadium, while only a few sections were occupied by Curacao supporters, the AP news agency reported. Ecuador went into the game knowing that defeat would doom their hopes after Germany’s late win against Ivory Coast. Curacao confirmed that the pressure will remain throughout the tournament.In the first half, Curacao repeatedly found space in the middle of Ecuador’s defense and created opportunities, but the failure of the last pass and the completion of the goal prevented the lead.Ecuador’s best chance in the opening period fell to veteran Enner Valencia. With only one player to beat him, he looked poised to score, but Room made up his mind, dived to his left and pushed wide.Ecuador increased the chances after the break, but Roma continued to deny them.Moises Caicedo forced the striker into a save early in the second half. Valencia then went close with a header, but Room pushed it away. From the ensuing corner, the Curacao player made two more saves before his defense cleared the danger.It was a disappointing night for Ecuador, who couldn’t find a way past the Cup despite creating several chances.For Curacao, however, the draw brought history, as the team earned its first point at the FIFA World Cup and kept alive its hopes of advancing to the finals.
