Lower-league goalkeeper smashes record to keep miracle dream alive for World Cup minnows

All four teams in Group E can still reach the World Cup round of 32 thanks to a sensational record-breaking performance in the tournament's second goalless draw.

The first blank at World Cup 2026 saw debutants Cape Verde claim a historic first World Cup point by drawing with 2010 winners Spain.

Ecuador and Curacao played out the second 0-0 draw in Kansas City after Germany's last-gasp win over Ivory Coast took Julian Nagelsmann's team through to the knock-out rounds.

Like Cape Verde, Curacao are playing at the World Cup for the first time ever and now have a famous first point to their name too.

Dick Advocaat's team were beaten 7-1 by the Germans in their first match and would theoretically be hampered by their goal difference in the ranking of best third-placed teams.

But only a draw in their final game against Ivory Coast could realistically leave the Blue Wave in third and two points wouldn't be good enough in any case.

A win against Ivory Coast in the last group game in Philadelphia would take Curacao above them. If Ecuador failed to beat Germany at the same time, that would mean second place and automatic qualification.

Keeping that faint hope alive was an almighty team effort but one individual performance was more influential than any other.

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced an unbelievable display to keep out a barrage of shots on target from Ecuador.

According to Opta, the 37-year-old has already claimed a slice of history: "Curacao's Eloy Room recorded 15 saves against Ecuador, the most on record (since 1966) by any goalkeeper in a FIFA World Cup match that did not feature extra-time."

The 15 shots saved by record-breaking goalkeeper Eloy Room

Room, who plays for Miami FC in the second tier of American football demonstrated technical ability and determined, unorthodox shot-stopping to keep Ecuador's attackers at bay.

Formerly of Vitesse, PSV and Columbus Crew, Room shares Curacao's record number of caps with ex-Aston Villa midfielder Leandro Bacuna.

Fotmob data reveals that Room faced 15 shots on target with a total expected goals value higher than three, while two were blocked before they reached him and 10 more missed the target.

Six of the shots on target were taken before half time, nine in the second half, and Room's historic contribution included a classy save from Kevin Rodriguez's header and a fine late stop to keep out Pedro Vite.

Enner Valencia, Nilson Angulo, Willian Pacho, Gonzalo Plata, John Yeboah and Moises Caicedo all found themselves thwarted by Curacao's miracle man.