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Historical moment data
- Curaçao's World Cup points : 1
- Rom's saves in a single game : 15
- Teams that have scored the most points in World Cup history : 74
- 5 teams gained points this season .
- Single-game save record : 16
The Epic Defense Behind a 0-0 Draw
This was no ordinary draw. When the final whistle blew, the Curaçao players broke down in tears – this Caribbean island nation with a population of only 150,000, making its debut on the World Cup stage, secured its first-ever World Cup point with a tenacious defensive performance.
Goalkeeper Eloy Rom was undoubtedly the hero. Facing Ecuador's relentless attack, he made 15 saves in a single match, a number that propelled him into the top three of the all-time World Cup saves list. He's just one shy of the record held by Tim Howard (USA, 16 saves against Belgium in 2014).
Emerging from the 7-1 humiliation – he was one of the participants in that Brazil-Germany semi-final (serving as a substitute goalkeeper for Brazil) – Rom has now delivered a paredão-level performance, forever etching Curaçao's name into the annals of World Cup history.
This World Cup: 5 teams earn their first-ever points
Curaçao (first time competing)
0-0 Ecuador: Goalkeeper Rom's 15 saves cemented his legendary status as the Caribbean nation made history.
Cape Verde (First Time Participating)
Both being newcomers to the World Cup, they also earned their first-ever point in this tournament.
Canada (host)
Not only did they score their first goal, but they also thrashed Qatar 6-0, securing their first-ever victory.
Democratic Republic of Congo (after 50 years)
In 1974, they first participated under the Zaire name and lost all three matches (including a 0-3 defeat to Brazil). This year, they finally broke their zero-point curse.
Qatar (Second entry)
As the previous host nation, they also earned their first-ever World Cup points in this tournament.
n their first World Cup appearance, but with two more matches in Group J against Algeria and Austria, they still have a chance.
Uzbekistan, also a World Cup newcomer, lost their opening match to Colombia and will face Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group K. The latter, having just broken their zero-point curse, might be Uzbekistan's breakthrough opportunity.
Breaking the ice for the "zero-point team" in the World Cup
- 1974 · Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) lost all three matches – including a 0-3 defeat to Brazil – and only earned its first point in this World Cup 50 years later.
- 1986 · Iraq's first appearance in the tournament resulted in zero points—the battle for their first point continues in this edition.
- 2018 · Panama's World Cup campaign ends in a complete failure – having already lost to Ghana, they still haven't scored a single goal.
- This year , five teams simultaneously achieved their first-ever points – Curaçao, Cape Verde, Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Qatar all broke new ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is Eloj Rom's 15 saves?
This number places him among the top three in World Cup history for most saves in a single match. The record holder is American goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made 16 saves against Belgium in 2014. Considering that Curaçao was a small country making its World Cup debut, such a performance against South American powerhouse Ecuador is nothing short of miraculous.
How small is Curaçao?
Curaçao is an island nation in the Caribbean with a population of only about 150,000—equivalent to a county in China. It is an autonomous republic within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and its football is managed by the CONCACAF (Constitution of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football). Qualifying for the World Cup through the qualifiers is a major breakthrough for this tiny country in football history.
Why did so many teams score their first points in this World Cup?
The expansion of this World Cup has increased the number of participating teams, giving more smaller footballing nations the opportunity to step onto the world stage. Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan are all making their World Cup debuts, while teams like Canada, Haiti, and Panama, though having World Cup experience, have had dismal past records. The change in format and the narrowing gap in strength have led to a surge of breakthroughs in this tournament.
Why is the Democratic Republic of Congo called Zaire?
During the 1974 World Cup, this country was under the dictatorship of Mobutu and was known as the Republic of Zaire (1971-1997). In their first World Cup appearance, they suffered three consecutive defeats, including a 0-3 loss to Brazil. In 1997, the country reverted to its current name, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it wasn't until this World Cup that they finally earned their first-ever World Cup point.
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