Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made World Cup 2026 history by making 15 saves, the most in a 90-minute match since records began in 1966, as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament finals held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw.
Six days after losing 7-1 to Germany, Room, 37, produced a stunning performance to keep Curacao’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
“I grew, we all grew, this was a team effort,” he said. “We’ve been fighting, fighting up to the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curacao is absolutely great.”
Meanwhile, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there were no issues within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand. Later, Spain bid to get their first win against Saudi Arabia, while Belgium are in action against Iran.
Last night, Tunisia became the third team to exit the World Cup after a 4-0 defeat to impressive Japan. Tunisia sacked their coach Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 defeat to Sweden, but the arrival of Herve Renard could not prevent another defeat.
Japan thrash Tunisia to knock North Africa side out of World Cup
Japan thrashed Tunisia 4-0 to move to the brink of the World Cup knockout stages, while the North Africans were eliminated after a second successive defeat in Group F.
Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after four minutes, bundling home Keito Nakamura’s low cross from close range, before Ayase Ueda doubled Japan’s lead in the 30th minute with a fierce low drive into the far corner.
Japan stayed in control after the break and Ueda set up Junya Ito for their third with a`lofted pass before heading in his second of the night from a deep cross, making Japan the first Asian side to score four goals in a World Cup match.
Japan join the Netherlands on four points, with Tunisia, playing their first game under new coach Herve Renard after a 5-1 loss to Sweden, becoming the tournament’s third eliminated side, joining Haiti and Turkey.
Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 07:09
Coach Hassan denies Salah rift as Egypt eye historic World Cup win
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there were no issues within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in their crucial World Cup Group G match at BC Place.
Salah, 34, scored nine goals in the qualifying campaign and provided an assist for Emam Ashour in their opener with Belgium. But he was substituted in the 76th minute of that 1-1 draw in Seattle, with highly-rated teenager Hamza Abdelkarim coming on.
“Salah is an important player for our squad, and the 26 players who are here with me are very important,” Hassan told reporters. “Every player who has worked with me knows I deal with them in a professional manner. I do not have favourites.
“Salah is a great player who helps his teammates. He has a lot of discipline and is a role model.
“If he starts … or if he gets substituted, it’s fine. It is his role as a player. Everyone knows that I am working for the benefit of the team and the national side.
“Rumours are being spread about stars, about players, about teams. But Salah is someone who is very disciplined,” he added.
“He trains with us. He’s the first player that would also say yes to my decisions as a technical director. So I think he will be very positive tomorrow.”
Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 07:07
Eloy Room denies Ecuador in stunning display
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia had a terrific chance in the third minute when he was one-on-one with Eloy Room, but the keeper, who plays for Miami FC in the USL Championship, dived to tip the ball wide of the post with a stunning one-handed save.
That set the stage for Room’s heroic display as he repeatedly denied Ecuador and gradually turned frustration into disbelief among the South American side and their supporters. “I still have to process myself,” Room said.
“The match is full of emotions. I knew it was going to be a tough match. The first save, the tone was put in place, also for the team.
“It gave me confidence and I grew, we all grew, this was a team effort. We’ve been fighting, fighting up to the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curacao is absolutely great.”
Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 07:03
Heroic Eloy Room breaks goalkeeper record to help Curacao create history in first World Cup point
A heroic performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room created history for Curacao as they earned a first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in Kansas City.
Room made 15 saves – the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966 – as he acted as a one-man barrier, with Dick Advocaat’s brave side bouncing back from their 7-1 thrashing by Germany in their opening game.
The point, a historic result for a tiny nation with just 158,000 people, keeps their unlikely hopes of advancing through Group E alive and they will progress to the knockout stages if they can somehow beat Ivory Coast in their final match.
Heroic Eloy Room breaks goalkeeper record as Curacao earn first World Cup point
The goalkeeper made the most saves (15) ever in a 90-minute World Cup match, with Ecuador held to a 0-0 draw in Kansas CityJamie Braidwood21 June 2026 07:01