Goalkeeper Eloy Room makes history as tiny Curacao gets first World Cup point

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Entering the World Cup, you’d have forgiven Curacao if the team was just happy to be here.

You’ve likely heard at least parts of the underdog story. The tiny island nation of fewer than 160,000 people. The smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup. One of the lowest ranked teams in the field. 

All the signs of a team that potentially would be in awe of the sights and sounds from the world’s biggest stage — which seemed to be validated after a 7-1 blowout loss to Germany in its opening game. 

Then came their second match Saturday night against Ecuador.

And the smallest nation got one of the biggest performances in World Cup history from their goalkeeper, resulting in a 0-0 draw and Curacao’s first-ever World Cup point.

The heroic performance came from Eloy Room, who had 15 saves, the most by a goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since recordkeeping began in 1966. Only USA goalkeeper Tim Howard has more, with 16, but that came in an extra-time game against Belgium in 2014.

“For me as a goalkeeper, this is almost a perfect game,” Room said. “I’m really proud of the team, also. We did it as a team. ...

“But I think I need a statue in Curacao,” Room said, laughing.

Eloy Room has historic game for Curacao

Room’s remarkable night was the result of a remarkable journey. Born in the Netherlands — as are 25 players on the Curacao roster — Room made the decision to play for Curacao, which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in 2015.

“My dream was to play at the World Cup with Curacao, and that was my only goal,” Room said after the game. “So I knew it back then it was a long road, and people called me crazy when I switched from Holland to Curacao, but I had a goal in mind, and what people said didn’t matter, and at the end I’m here, so I think I was right.”

Let's offer a reminder: Germany scored seven goals against Room and Curacao's defense just a few days earlier. But Room set the tone early in the match against Ecuador. In the opening minutes, Enner Valencia took a long pass and had a clear path to the goal, but his shot was saved by the outstretched arms of a diving Room, who pushed the ball away for a corner kick.

“After the first save at the beginning of the game, it gave the team confidence, it gave me as a goalkeeper confidence,” Room said. 

In the second half, Room was positioned in front of a section of Curacao supporters behind the goal. Although Kansas City Stadium was filled primarily with fans dressed in the yellow shirts of Ecuador, the pocket of blue was like an extra wall for Room, willing him to one save after another, including during a couple of frenetic sequences when Ecuador had multiple chances at point-blank range.

“It’s always a nice feeling when you have the fans behind you,” Room said. “And I felt it, the celebration every time when I took the ball, they were celebrating. Of course it gives you a good feeling, and for me it was unbelievable.”

A historic celebration for Curacao

The game might have been an unbelievable moment for Room, but it was just as unbelievable for the fans.

“We are so excited, we are so happy,” said Judira Santiago, who arrived in Kansas City from Curacao that day. “I’ve been so proud of our boys. That we can make it, nearly to win this game, and we didn’t give up any goals. We are so proud. Ecuador is a very strong team, but we proved that we are stronger.”

The fans also included royalty. The king and queen of the Netherlands were in attendance, and they were in the locker room after the game, dancing with the team, Room said.

But this was a night that belonged to Room, as well as ordinary fans, who had spent thousands to make the trip to the U.S. Before the game, many spoke about the pride of getting a goal against Germany, and what it meant to hear their national anthem played at the World Cup.

And afterward, with an official World Cup point on record?

“We scored our first goal at the last game,” Curacao fan Gillord Pisas said. “We earned our first points at this game. It’s only right we get our first W at the next game. But it means a lot. I mean, our first time here, we know of people who never score, who never earn a point. So it definitely means something.”

Heading into the Ecuador match, coach Dick Advocaat had expressed how much joy the fans were experiencing. And that despite the opening-game loss, everyone in Germany has now heard the word Curacao a hundred times. “Now they know where it is, know what a beautiful island it is.”

Thanks to Room's performance, the rest of the world likely now knows, too.