The 37-year-old goalkeeper who just matched Tim Howard’s record in stunning fashion

In a World Cup increasingly defined by unexpected underdog heroes, such as the remarkable performance of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who managed to keep powerhouse Spain scoreless in the first half for Cabo Verde, Curaçao has also showcased an extraordinary defensive display on the global stage.

The tiny Caribbean nation achieved its first-ever World Cup point after a grueling 0-0 draw against heavily favored Ecuador, highlighted by an exceptional goalkeeping display. Just a week after conceding seven goals to Germany, 37-year-old goalkeeper Eloy Room made an impressive comeback, recording 15 remarkable saves.

This incredible total ties the men’s single-game World Cup record set by American goalkeeper Tim Howard during the match against Belgium in 2014. Room’s performance also marks the highest number of saves in a World Cup clean sheet and the most saves recorded in a match that did not go into extra time.

After the final whistle, the Miami FC and former Columbus Crew goalkeeper jokingly suggested that Howard might be sweating in front of his television, smiling as he considered whether he deserves a statue in Curaçao. Room’s brilliance stifled a relentless Ecuadorian offense, which generated 28 total attempts, 15 of which were on target, resulting in an expected goals (xG) of 3.08. The historic tie took place in front of a lively crowd, including Dutch heads of state King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, who later celebrated with the team in the locker room.

Head coach Dick Advocaat expressed immense pride in how far his squad has come, having started from nothing. Now, Curaçao must prepare for another challenging match against the Ivory Coast to keep their historic tournament journey alive.

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