History created, tears flow after minnows stun the world

For most, a 0-0 result would be nothing to celebrate.

But for World Cup minnow Curaçao, the smallest nation to ever qualify for the tournament, it was everything they’d ever dreamed of.

Goalkeeper Eloy Room and head coach Dick Advocaat embrace teary-eyed after the result. Getty

The tournament debutants stunned Ecuador on Sunday (AEST), holding the South American side to a scoreless draw to secure their first-ever World Cup point.

There were jubilant scenes at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, with head coach Dick Advocaat overcome by emotion and fans completely covered in Curaçao blue in the stands, cheering for their side.

The hero of the match was 37-year-old goalkeeper Eloy Room, who made an astonishing 15 saves to completely shut out Ecuador.

Room’s performance nearly equalled the World Cup record held by former United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made 16 saves against Belgium in 2014.

Speaking after the game, the veteran keeper admitted he’d like a statue in his hometown after his historic performance.

“I think I need a statue in Curacao now,” Room said.

While Howard retains the overall record, Room now holds the World Cup record for the most saves in a 90-minute match, as well as the most saves in a match while keeping a clean sheet.

Howard’s 16-save performance came during a 120-minute extra-time match.

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

Watching the historic moment from the stands were King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

The monarchs began the day cheering the Netherlands past Sweden before finishing the day by watching their constituent nation Curaçao make history.

The royal couple dutifully swapped out the bright orange scarves of Het Oranje Legioen with bright blue ones for The Blue Wave.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was also in the change rooms with the players. FIFA via Getty Images

“It is an extra-special World Cup because we have both the Netherlands and Curacao,” Willem-Alexander told RTL-TV.

“So we have twice as many teams to cheer for. A great opportunity to cheer on both the Blues and the Oranges. All in all, it will be a special World Cup for me with two teams, and I naturally hope they go extremely far.”

Curaçao is the smallest World Cup team in population (158,000) and size and made its tournament debut last Monday in a 7-1 loss to Germany.

After the team bounced back for their draw with Ecuador, they now have a chance to punch a ticket to the knockout stage if they can beat Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on June 26.