“In my mind, there was no way we were not going to get result in that game.”
Those were the words of back in January when talking about Curaçao’s 0-0 draw against Jamaica on the final day of Concacaf qualifying for the , which punched the Blue Wave’s ticket to their first global finals.
The same phrase could easily be applied to what was witnessed on Saturday night at in Curaçao’s in Group E.
The veteran shot-stopper made an astounding 16 saves, a World Cup record for a match that went 90 minutes, and level with Tim Howard’s 16 saves in USA’s extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014.
Room’s performance was historic, but it also follows a long line of iconic goalkeeping performances from Concacaf goalkeepers.
Curaçao’s share of the spoils is the first point earned by a Caribbean side at the World Cup since Trinidad and Tobago achieved the same feat in a 0-0 draw with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden at Germany 2006. The man between the posts that day for the Soca Warriors was Shaka Hislop, who wasn’t even tabbed as the team’s No1 and was a late injury replacement for Kelvin Mack.
Hislop never blinked, registering four saves, including an otherworldly stop from Marcus Allback to etch his name into the history books.
“World Cup 2006 is still my fairy tale,” . “I feel like if I go back and watch it all over again, all of a sudden it becomes real, and I kind of like it as a fairy tale.”
Concacaf enjoyed another goalkeeping apex at Brazil 2014 during which three of its net-minders were hailed for their displays. Guillermo Ochoa entered the spotlight first, in Mexico's second match of the tournament against the hosts.
After making a stunning, one-handed save to deny a bulleted Neymar header, he made further stops to foil Paulinho, Neymar again and Thiago Silva as Mexico escaped with a point. Eight years later, Ochoa was just as good in Mexico’s opener against Poland, saving a Robert Lewandowski penalty to help earn El Tricolor a point.
At the same tournament, Costa Rica No1 Keylor Navas had wowed audiences during the Ticos’ surprising first place finish in their group, with clean sheets against Italy and England. He led his country to uncharted waters in the Round of 16 by making a save in a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Greece. Navas was again superb in the quarter-final against Netherlands, with Costa Rica narrowly falling in spot kicks. Still, he left Brazil with the , conceding only two goals in 510 minutes.
Days later, it was Howard’s turn, and he had to be sharp from the beginning as Belgium's Divock Origi was turned away after just 38 seconds. Somehow, he kept the Red Devils at bay for 90 minutes but would finally succumb in extra time, conceding twice but not before he registered a record 16 saves.
It left quite the impression back home. #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave started trending on Twitter during the second half, the Wikipedia entry for the United States Secretary of Defense was changed to Tim Howard and the next day he received a phone call from president Barack Obama.
“At the time I had no idea it was a record,” said Howard. “Eight, 10, 16 – I honestly had no idea how many saves I’d made. I remember being really, really nervous before the game, but as soon as it kicked off I was in the zone.”
Now, it is Room’s moment on the big stage.
“I just felt unbeatable, like nothing was going to get past me, which was an incredible feeling,” after the Ecuador match.
There is still plenty of World Cup 2026 left for Curaçao, and Room’s goalkeeping legacy as one of Concacaf’s best is only growing.
Sources: FIFA Official
