Less than a week removed from a match against Germany which saw him concede seven goals, Curaçaoan goalkeeper Eloy Room set’s a World Cup record for most saves in a 90-minute match.
The 37-year-old Room saved 15 shots on goal in Curaçao’s game against Ecuador, single handedly keeping the game even as well as keeping Curaçao alive in the tournament.
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Room’s performance came up just one shy of tying the all-time record set by American goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Howard would set the record during the U.S.’s match against Belgium during the 2014 World Cup where he would record 16 saves.
However, the 15 saves from Room are the most a goalkeeper has ever recorded in a 90-minute match in World Cup history.
The first of Room’s 15 saves would come in just the third minute of the match when Enner Valencia would go through onto goal looking to put Ecuador up early.
In the 20th minute, Ecuador would test Room once again.
Arsenal man Piero Hincapié would deliver a long cross into the box finding Valencia who put Ecuador ahead once again.
But Room, a man determined, would make his fourth save of the night.
In the 42nd minute, Ecuador’s John Yeboah would take his second attempt on net.
But Room, standing firm knocked the strike away keeping the game knotted.
Another Valencia attempt in the 65th minute saw the Ecuadorian fire a firm strike with a header onto net.
And once again, almost unsurprisingly, Room was there.
On the ensuing corner, Room would record another two saves, bringing his total on the night to 12.
Through the remainder of the match Room would collect another three saves, officially setting the record for saves in a 90-minute match.
Curaçao would draw 0-0 with Ecuador, thanks, in large part to Room record setting performance in net.
Room and the Curaçaoans will face off against Ivory Coast in their final group stage match.
They’ll need either a win or draw alongside an Ecuadorian loss to Germany to keep them in third place and give them a possible chance at the knockout stage.
Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official
