Curacao keeper Room shines in historic World Cup draw with Ecuador

Tiny Curacao battled to a 0-0 draw with Ecuador to earn the first World Cup point in the ‌Caribbean island's history on Saturday after an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room enabled them to celebrate a landmark day.

Six days after being humbled 7-1 by Germany on their World Cup debut, Curacao -- the smallest nation ​ever to reach the finals with a population of about 156,000 -- produced a resilient display to frustrate the South Americans and keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

The 37-year-old Room, whose shutout of Jamaica in November sealed Curacao's place in the tournament, was the standout figure, making 15 saves that set a record for a 90-minute World Cup match, as they withstood sustained pressure before earning a result that ranks ​among the finest in their sporting history.

American Tim Howard holds the World Cup record for all-time saves with 16, but that was after extra time, in the US loss to Belgium in the round of 16 in 2014. ⁠

The goalless draw that confirmed Germany as Group E winners was a blow for Ecuador -- who arrived at the tournament on a 19-game unbeaten run -- and their ‌fans, ‌who ​were left deflated as chances went begging, leaving them with a point from two games.

Ecuador's Enner Valencia had a terrific chance in the third minute when he was one-on-one with 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