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'Unbelievable' Eloy Room saves Curacao with historic World Cup performance

KANSAS CITY, MO — Ecuador couldn’t find the key to unlock Elroy Room and Curaçao on Saturday, June 20.

Curaçao and Ecuador played to a 0-0 tie in Group E action in Kansas City. Room, Curaçao's goalkeeper, was outstanding. He rose to the occasion leading the Blue Wave to its first point in World Cup history as the smallest nation to ever qualify for the tournament.

“It’s unbelievable,” Room said. “I couldn’t do it alone. I did it with my team and with my defenders. I am happy that I did my job.”

Room finished with 15 saves, the most saves in World Cup history for a game ending in regulation.

U.S. men’s national team keeper Tim Howard still holds the record with 16 saves, which came against Belgium in 2014. Howard’s big outing finished in extra time. He ended with 12 saves in regulation during that game.

“A little bit annoyed that I didn’t take the record from Tim Howard,” Room said. “I think he was sweating in front of the TV because I was close.”

Room was called into action early and often against Ecuador, who were considered big favorites. In the third minute, Ecuador delivered a long ball over the top which settled to striker Enner Valencia.

Valencia went one-on-one with Room. He drilled a shot on his right foot from 12 yards away and Room made the low diving save to thwart Ecuador, who have yet to score in the World Cup.

It was Room’s favorite save of the night, simple because he can’t remember the other 14 saves.

“The most important save was the first one because that set the tone for the rest of the game,” Room said. “All of the other saves, I don’t even remember.”

Curacao did not defend for their lives for the entire game. They enjoyed passages of play that had them dreaming for all three points.

The Blue Wave’s best chance came in the 60th minute. Leandro Bacuna hit a shot from outside the box, which forced Ecuador keeper Hernán Galindez into a diving save.

After the save, the ball was recycled to the top of the box. Livano Comenencia fired a low shot, which was also saved by Galindez. Curacao ended the game with 10 total shots with three of them on goal.

It’s an unlikely performance from Curacao, which allowed seven goals against Germany in the opening match. Curacao coach Dick Advocaat explained that the first game might have come too early for the team.

“We see once again that Germany was a great team. That day, they were out of our league,” Advocaat said. “The team was standing, the way they should’ve been standing. They were fighting like lions with high individual levels of play.”

It’s another remarkable night of World Cup action inside Kansas City’s stadium. On Tuesday, June 16 fans were treated to a historic hat trick performance from Argentina’s Lionel Messi. In the team’s 3-0 win, Messi tied the record for most goals ever scored in World Cup history.

In the Curaçao match, Room stood tall, making save after save and providing joy for all the fans from the island nation.

“It’s nice to be thought of with Messi,” Room laughed. “I don’t know what it is. I’ve never played in this stadium, but it felt good to me. This is going to be my favorite stadium now.”

Post match, Curacao’s team was treated to a warm welcome in the locker room.

Netherlands King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima danced and celebrated with the Blue Wave.

“To see how the king, wife and daughter fit into the group,” Advocaat said. “It evokes a lot of respect. They smiled and they danced. You can see them radiating with joy.”

Room’s performance was legendary for Curacao. His 15 saves will go down in World Cup history. It was such an impressive game that it was fit enough for Queen Máxima to plant a kiss on the man of the match.

“I hope my wife didn’t hear,” Room smiled.

Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA TODAY. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at LKeating@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elroy Room nearly breaks Tim Howard's World Cup saves record

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