Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero against Ecuador on Saturday, keeping out a barrage of shots to help the tiny Caribbean nation claim their first ever World Cup point in a goalless draw that keeps alive their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.
Ecuador, who finished second in South American qualifying, had 28 shots, including 15 on target but Room stood firm in an astonishing display in Kansas City.
His 15 saves are the most on record, since 1966, by any goalkeeper in a World Cup match that did not feature extra-time.
Curacao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the tournament, slumped to a 7-1 defeat against Germany in their opening match but restored pride in the American Midwest.
Ecuador fans turned the Arrowhead Stadium, the home of NFL team Kansas City Chiefs, yellow, hugely outnumbering supporters of Curacao.
But Curacao had royalty on their side in the form of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. The island is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The match started at a fizzing pace. Ecuador seemed certain to open the scoring in the third minute when former West Ham forward Enner Valencia burst through the middle but Room tipped the ball around the post.
As the match neared its end, chances continued to come thick and fast but Room stood firm. Ecuador substitute Angelo Preciado mishit a cross that bounced off the top of the crossbar and went behind.
The Curacao players swarmed around Room at the end of the match, celebrating an extraordinary point.
