FIFA World Cup

Curaçao keeper Eloy Room stopped 15 shots vs. Ecuador — a record in regulation

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  • Eloy Room stopped 15 shots in Curaçao’s scoreless draw with Ecuador.
  • Room’s 15 saves set a World Cup match record, one shy of Tim Howard’s 16 overall.
  • Curaçao is the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.

Eloy Room, Curaçao’s goalkeeper, had a night for the record books as his team played Ecuador to a scoreless draw in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium.

Room stopped an amazing 15 shots, a record in a World Cup match and one off former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard’s overall record of 16 — he stopped those shots in regulation plus added time.

Room’s accomplishment helped his team — playing for the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup — gain its first points in the quadrennial international tournament.

Here are some photos of Room, as taken by Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle photographers during Saturday’s game.

Curaçao players mob goalkeeper Eloy Room after he held Ecuador to a draw at a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Curaçao players mob goalkeeper Eloy Room after he helped hold Ecuador to a draw at a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes one of his many saves against Ecuador during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes one of his many saves against Ecuador during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) stops a Ecuador attempt on goal in the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) stops a Ecuador attempt on goal in the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes one of this many saves against Curaçao during the first half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes one of this many saves against Curaçao during the first half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Curaçao defender Sherel Floranus (5) yells at his teammates after Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) stops a Ecuador goal attempt in the second half of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Curaçao defender Sherel Floranus (5) yells at his teammates after Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) stops a Ecuador goal attempt in the second half of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

This story will be updated.

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 11:05 PM.

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