Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao: Debutants hold firm for first ever World Cup point | OneFootball

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Stubborn World Cup debutants Curaçao earned a much deserved first point at the tournament in their history while severely denting Ecuador’s hope of reaching the knockouts in an entertaining 0-0 draw in Group E.

Enner Valencia, Gonzalo Plata, Moises Caicedo, and substitute Nelson Angulo all went close as Ecuador had 15 shots on target and 27 in total, only to be denied by a heroic performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room.

Although Ecuador are not mathematically out of the World Cup just yet, they face a Germany side who beat today’s opponents 7-1 and are already through to the round of 32 in their final group match needing an improbable victory.

As it happened

Prior to this morning’s fixture Ecuador boss Sebastián Beccacece claimed he wanted his side to “defend like Arsenal and attack like Barcelona”, with the South Americans becoming noted for their lack of goalscoring prowess.

And true to their manager’s wish Ecuador had the first chance within just three minutes of kick-off, as Moises Caicedo threaded through a delicious through ball for Enner Valencia.

But true to his side’s recent form, the ex-West Ham striker was denied by what would be the first of many stunning saves from Curaçao keeper Eloy Room.

Soon afterwards Leandro and Juninho Bacuna linked up nicely and Juninho attempted to force his way through, only to run into the yellow wall of Ecuador’s defence, before Tahith Chong failed to get his shot away after dithering in the box.

Curaçao continued pose a threat and soon had their first real chance of the match, an ambitious effort blazed over the bar by Sharel Floranus.

But Ecuador are favourites for a reason, and saw another shot – this time from John Yeboah – easily gathered by Eloy Room before Pedro Vite’s effort was deflected seconds later.

Valencia then had his second opportunity of the match, a tame strike from distance easily dealt with by Room.

Having endured ten minutes of Ecuadorian pressure the Blue Wave reminded their opponents what they are capable of on the counter, as Livano Comenencia saw his shot blocked by a resolute La Tri defence.

The prevailing narrative of Valencia’s game continued with a further effort, as Ecuador’s main man saw a close-range strike saved by Room after Piero Hincapie’s teasing cross.

Ecuador continued to look strong after the hydration break, and Gonzalo Plata unleashed a fizzing strike from distance which, once again, was dealt with by Room.

Curaçao had another chance of their own soon after, but Juninho took too many touches inside the box and was easily closed down.

Former Brighton defender Pierre Estupiñán had his first shot of the game four minutes before the interval, but Room – not to be outdone by Cape Verde’s keeper Vozinha – once again produced a strong save to deny him.

After looking threatening throughout the first 45 the Blue Wave finally had their first shot on target on the stroke of half time, via a Comenencia effort that posed no problems for La Tri shot stopper Hernán Galíndez.

Ecuador continued to spurn further chances after the break. Caicedo failed to generate sufficient power on his long-range attempt, before Plata skied a wayward strike into Row Z.

Plata went much closer less than two minutes later, but couldn’t convert from a tight angle following Caicedo’s free kick.

Leandro then had Curaçao’s first effort of the half in the form of a wild shot, before Room was forced to produce a stunning stop from a dangerous Ecuadorian set piece.

As the game really began to open up Galindez was seriously tested for the first time, with the 39-year-old denying close-range efforts from both Leandro and Comenencia in quick succession.

As the match went on it increasingly became a case of Ecuador vs Room. Curaçao’s number one saved well from Valencia yet again, before denying Caicedo’s strke from six yards out from the resulting corner.

At this point Beccacece must’ve been wondering what more his side had to do to beat a stubborn Room. Particularly whn substitute Nelson Angulo saw two vicious shots saved minutes after coming on.

And he would’ve been panicking even more when he saw Juninho shaping to shoot at Galindez’s goal, but the Huracan goalkeeper demonstrated unbelievable reactions to deny the Blue Wave their breakthrough.

Valencia then had yet another opportunity from inside the penalty area but struggled to convert for the seventh time in 85 minutes, before Angulo’s fellow replacement Ángelo Preciado struck the bar with a floated cross into the box.

Although Curaçao almost scored an own goal in the final minute of added time, they held on to secure the most improbable of 0-0 draws – and keep their own hopes of automatic qualification alive.

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