Football produces its heroes in unexpected places. On Day 10, the biggest individual performance came not from a forward dazzling in a packed stadium but from a goalkeeper, standing between his country and defeat, making save after save after save.
Room at the Top
Eloy Room. Remember that name. The Curaçao goalkeeper faced Ecuador in Seattle knowing that a draw would be a remarkable result for the Caribbean island nation already regarded as the tournament's feel-good story. What he produced was something that transcended "feel-good" entirely. Room made 15 saves in 90 minutes — the highest total in a World Cup match since records were properly kept back in 1966. Ecuador peppered the goal, created chance after chance, and Room stopped everything. The final whistle blew at 0-0. Curaçao, the smallest nation in World Cup history, had their first World Cup point. Room was carried off the pitch by his teammates. In the stands, Curaçao fans who had travelled thousands of miles to be here wept with joy. If you needed a reason to love football this tournament, this was a very good one.
Germany Find a Way, Eventually
Germany, meanwhile, reminded everyone that even the giants can have nervy evenings. Facing Ivory Coast in Houston, the four-time world champions fell behind in the 30th minute when Franck Kessié scored a superb individual goal. Germany huffed, Germany pressed, and it was not until substitute Deniz Undav came on and dragged them level in the 68th minute that the tension began to ease. It did not ease for long — Ivory Coast had chances to restore their lead — but Undav struck again in the fourth minute of injury time to seal a 2-1 win. Germany are through to the knockout stage for the first time since 2014. They did not look comfortable getting there, but they got there.
The Dutch Put On a Show
In New England, the Netherlands put on a show against Sweden that was simply breathless. Brian Brobbey, playing his best football in a Dutch shirt, scored in the 5th and 17th minutes to set the tone. Cody Gakpo added two more in the second half, and Crysencio Summerville rounded it off in the 89th minute for a 5-1 final score. Sweden's Anthony Elanga scored a fine consolation, but this was a Dutch evening from first to last. Five goals, no hesitation.
Japan Make History Again
Finally, Japan continued their extraordinary tournament with a 4-0 demolition of Tunisia — Daichi Kamada after four minutes, two from Ayase Ueda, and one from Junya Ito in between. It was the biggest winning margin by an Asian nation in World Cup history. Tunisia are out. Japan are through, and they look like a team that could go deep.