EcuadorvsCuraçao

Result

Ecuador laid siege to the Curaçao goal — 75% of the ball, 27 shots and nine corners to none — but ran into an inspired Eloy Room, the veteran goalkeeper making 15 saves to keep the smallest nation ever at a World Cup level. Sebastián Beccacece's side hit the target 15 times without scoring, while Curaçao defended in a deep block, absorbed the barrage and collected five bookings in the process. The goalless draw is a historic point for Dick Advocaat's men and a frustrating night for Ecuador, who remain without a win.

Ecuador 3-1-4-25-4-1 Curaçao

Ecuador

Curaçao

Jordy Alcívar38'

Leandro Bacuna39'

Juninho Bacuna53'

Livano Comenencia56'

Juriën Gaari75'

Gervane Kastaneer90'+1'

75%Possession25%

27Shots10

15On target3

3Saves15

9Corners0

581Passes completed159

90%Pass accuracy70%

19Tackles17

43Touches in box12

Substitutions

Kevin Rodríguezfor Jordy Alcívarat 45'

Kenji Gorréfor Juninho Bacunaat 75'

Nilson Angulofor Pervis Estupiñánat 70'

Roshon van Eijmafor Deveron Fonvilleat 76'

Ángelo Preciadofor Alan Francoat 83'

Jearl Margarithafor Tahith Chongat 76'

Jordy Caicedofor John Yeboahat 89'

Gervane Kastaneerfor Jürgen Locadiaat 83'

Godfried Roemeratoefor Livano Comenenciaat 84'

At this Stage

The Group E table after two rounds is a staircase: Germany six, Côte d'Ivoire three, Ecuador one, Curaçao one. Germany, who followed their 7-1 with a 2-1 over the Ivorians, are through to the round of 32 with a round to spare; Côte d'Ivoire still hold second. The goalless draw in Kansas City was history for Curaçao — a first World Cup point for the smallest nation ever to reach one, built on Eloy Room's fifteen saves — and arithmetic misery for Ecuador, who fired 27 shots without scoring and remain winless on one point. Both bottom sides now need a final-day win plus help, and Ecuador's closing assignment is Germany. Two matchdays in: one certainty at the top, three teams left arguing over what remains.

Group E

Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
Germany	2	2	0	0	+7	6
Côte d'Ivoire	2	1	0	1	+0	3
Ecuador	2	0	1	1	-1	1
Curaçao	2	0	1	1	-6	1

Top two (above the accent line) advance to the round of 32; the third-placed team is in the race for one of the eight best-third spots.

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

Ecuador to win. Sebastián Beccacece's side were beaten only by a stoppage-time goal against Côte d'Ivoire and have the defensive solidity — Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié — and midfield class of Moisés Caicedo to control this. Curaçao, the smallest nation ever at a World Cup, were thrashed 7-1 by Germany and will struggle to contain Ecuador's quality. A comfortable home win beckons: 3-0 Ecuador.

Both cases written 2026-06-19, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 22% belongs to the draw.