Eloy Room after 15 saves: I need a statue in Curacao
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room set a World Cup record by making 15 saves in a goalless draw against Ecuador.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Conceited 2
37-year-old Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made history with a remarkable performance in the second round of the 2026 World Cup. During the goalless draw against Ecuador, the goalkeeper managed to record 15 saves in regulation time.
This achievement marks the best record in World Cup history, excluding extra time. Thanks to his brilliance, Curacao not only kept a clean sheet but also earned the first point in their history at a World Cup tournament.
I am proud of it. For me, as a goalkeeper, it's almost a perfect match. I am also very proud of the team because we did it as a whole team. I make the saves, but we thought like a team, including the substitutes. But yes, I think I need a statue in Curacao. Eloy Room
After the match, Room, who was the undisputed man of the match, jokingly suggested that his performance deserved a statue back home. His composure and shot-stopping ability were the decisive factors in keeping the favored opponents at bay.