World Cup 2026 highlights and moments missed overnight: Curacao make history as Eloy Room sets new record | OneFootball

Fans Stateside were treated to more standout matches, but what did UK watchers miss out on?

The second round of group stage fixtures at the World Cup continued overnight and many UK watchers will have missed out on a historic moment which has left one of the pre-tournament dark horses facing a shock elimination.

Ecuador 0-0 Curacao

Eloy Room produced an outstanding performance as Curacao earned a first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a goalless draw in Kansas City.

Room made 15 saves – the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966 – as Dick Advocaat’s bounced back from their 7-1 thrashing by Germany in their opening game.

The point, a historic result for a tiny nation with just 158,000 people, keeps their unlikely hopes of advancing through Group E alive and they will progress to the knockout stages if they beat Ivory Coast in their final match.

As for Ecuador, tipped by many as a pre-tournament dark horse given their excellent form in qualification, they are now at risk of failing to qualify for the round of 32.

With a point from their opening two games, Ecuador must beat an already-qualified Germany - and by a large scoreline - to have any chance of progression, whether that be as runners-up or one of the best third-place teams.

Room’s monumental performance began as early as the third minute when he denied Enner Valencia with a brilliant save. He then kept out Gonzalo Plata’s effort while again denying Valencia with an impressive low stop.

Curacao had their moments, with former Manchester United midfielder Tahith Chong wasting a three-on-two situation while Juninho Bacuna had a shot blocked in the penalty area.

Advocaat’s men had a triple chance to take the lead on the hour as Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez made a good double stop to deny Leandro Bacuna and Livano Comenencia before Moises Caicedo blocked Jurgen Locadia’s follow-up effort.

But Room continued to keep his side in it as he denied Valencia and Kevin Rodriguez before Piero Hincapie sent a free header over and Plata somehow missed after bursting into the area.

Rodriguez then hit the crossbar with a cross-shot, but Room was the hero as the Caribbean nation held on for a historic result.

Historic: Curacao have their first-ever World Cup point

PA

Tunisia 0-4 Japan

Rounding off the overnight action was a comfortable win for Japan over Tunisia, with the appointment of Herve Renard having no impact whatsoever for the latter.

Tunisia were playing under new their head coach for the first time after sacking Sabri Lamouchi in the aftermath of Monday’s 5-1 defeat to Sweden, but they fell behind early against Japan in Monterrey as Keito Nakamura played a low pass across the six-yard box and Daichi Kamada was able to break the deadlock ahead four minutes in.

Ayase Ueda doubled the advantage in the 31st minute with superb effort before Junya Ito scored their third in the 69th minute, finishing off a well-worked team move with a cool, low finish past Aymen Dahmen.

With seven minutes of normal time to play, Ueda wrapped up the game with a looping header from Kaishu Sano’s cross that dipped into the bottom corner of the net.

“We didn’t know exactly what the opponents would do, but we didn’t focus too much on them,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu told reporters after the game. “Instead, we prepared well for what we wanted to do and played aggressively.