“We need a statue.” World Cup record-tying 15 saves! Curacao goalkeeper Rohm shut out Ecuador
Curaçao, a small country making their 2026 World Cup debut, drew 0-0 against Ecuador, ranked 30th in the FIFA rankings. 37-year-old goalkeeper Eloy Rome made 15 saves, tying him with Tim Howard for the World Cup record, and caused an uproar around the world.
In the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Curacao national team, despite being a small country ranked below 100 in the FIFA rankings, held out a historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador, ranked 30th in the FIFA rankings. In this match, 37-year-old veteran goalkeeper Eloy Rome made 15 decisive saves against Ecuador's onslaught, tying Tim Howard's record for most saves in a single World Cup game (15 saves), set at the 1998 World Cup in France. Ecuador took 14 shots in the first half alone, and as they strengthened their offensive in the second half, Rome made fine saves one after another, including a mid-range shot from a 45-degree angle to the right, a header on a cross from the left side, and even a decisive scene that could have resulted in a penalty kick.
