"I'll hold onto this memory as something truly incredible," Room stated after the 0-0 draw. "When you're in goal, you don't think much, but this is definitely a match I will never forget. For me, it was almost a perfect game. I am very proud of myself and the entire team. The saves were mine, but we fought as a team. Perhaps now I need a statue in Curacao."

Eloy Room makes a diving save during Curacao's 0-0 draw against Ecuador in their second Group E match at the 2026 World Cup, held at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, United States on 21/6. *Photo: Reuters*

Born in the Netherlands but of Curacao heritage, Room joined the Caribbean national team in 2015 after an invitation from coach Patrick Kluivert, the former Dutch star who managed Curacao from 2015 to 2016. He described representing his father's homeland as an emotional and proud decision. "I closed my eyes and thought about everything we've been through," Room shared. "Since I was a child, I dreamed of participating in the World Cup with Curacao. When Kluivert contacted me, I was deeply honored. It was special for me and my family."

Room had conceded 7 goals against Germany in the opening match. However, he shone brightly against Ecuador, making 15 saves to help Curacao secure a 0-0 draw, earning a historic point in their first-ever World Cup appearance. Room's 15 saves are the most in a 90-minute World Cup match. American goalkeeper Tim Howard still holds the overall record with 16 saves in 120 minutes during the 2014 World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium.

"I didn't count the saves during the match, but I knew I was very busy. There's a slight regret about not breaking Howard's record, but I am still very proud," Room added.

The match at Arrowhead Stadium on 20/6 was attended by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who had watched the Netherlands national team play in Houston before traveling to Kansas to witness Curacao's historic game. "They even danced in the changing room to our music. It was wonderful to have them here," Room recounted.

King Willem-Alexander enters the changing room to congratulate Curacao players after the match. *Video: Instagram/thebluewaveffk*

For Room personally, the performance against Ecuador is considered the biggest milestone of his career. The 37-year-old goalkeeper stated: "This was the best match of my life. I once made 15 saves against Honduras at the 2019 Gold Cup in the United States, when Curacao won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Leandro Bacuna. But this match surpasses all of that, because it happened at the World Cup."

Room's teammates also lavished praise on their colleague. Captain Leandro Bacuna lauded his teammate's saves as being on par with top-tier goalkeepers. Tahith Chong also highlighted Room's irreplaceable role: "He always plays at a high level, not just today. Perhaps the world is seeing it for the first time, but we know Room's capabilities well."

Looking back over the past decade, Room's impact spans from winning the 2017 Caribbean Cup and reaching the 2019 Gold Cup quarterfinals to leading Curacao to its first-ever World Cup qualification.

Eloy Room celebrates after the match, holding his jersey. *Photo: Reuters*

In Kansas City, he reaffirmed his leadership role within coach Dick Advocaat's system. Advocaat himself could not hide his astonishment, jokingly stating after the match, "I've never seen him play like that."

On the opposing side, Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez also expressed respect for his counterpart's exceptional performance: "He had the night of his life. I stayed after the game to tell him that. You can't expect a goalkeeper to save 15-16 shots like that in every match."

Room, 37, born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, currently plays for Miami FC after a stint with PSV Eindhoven. After the match, he could not hold back tears when remembering his former teammate Jarzinho Pieter, a Curacao national team goalkeeper who passed away during a training camp in Haiti. "I think he was there. I felt him beside me. He is always there with me, and I believe he was here today too," the goalkeeper, born in 1989, said emotionally.

Hong Duy (according to Abola, FIFA)