Overview
- Curaçao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw on June 20 as goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves, the most recorded in a World Cup match in 90 minutes, to secure the Caribbean island’s first-ever point at the tournament.
- Room’s 15 saves are one shy of Tim Howard’s all-time single‑match total of 16 saves, but set the record for regulation-time saves according to Opta and multiple match reports.
- The draw leaves Ecuador with one point from two games and puts Curaçao in position to advance to the Round of 32 if it defeats Ivory Coast in Group E on June 25.
- Separately, Morocco moved to the top of Group C after Ismael Saibari scored within 71 seconds of kickoff to give Morocco a 1-0 win over Scotland and alter qualification dynamics in that group.
- Observers say the expanded 48-team format, standout individual performances and fast-moving sports data and prediction markets are increasing volatility in early group-stage standings and shifting knockout projections.