Latin America Sports Daily for Sunday, June 21, 2026

Ecuador’s World Cup in numbers: 27 shots, 0 goals, 1 keeper who stopped everything

World Cup

There is a number that explains Ecuador’s World Cup better than any tactical analysis: 15. That is how many of Ecuador’s 27 shots on Saturday went on target against Curaçao, the most the most shots on target in a World Cup match without the attacking team scoring since 1966, according to ESPN’s tournament data.

The man responsible for that number was Eloy Room, Curaçao’s 35-year-old goalkeeper, who made 15 saves across 90 minutes at Kansas City Stadium to give his nation their first ever point at a World Cup.

Room saved Valencia’s early header, tipped over long-range efforts, and spread himself at close range; by any measure the best goalkeeper performance of this group stage.

Ecuador did everything except score. They had 65 percent possession, dominated every phase of the game, and came up against a 5-4-1 defensive block, organised by Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat, that conceded space everywhere except directly in front of goal.

Across their two games, Ecuador have had roughly 40 attempts and scored zero times: they hit the woodwork three times against Ivory Coast, produced 15 shots on target against Curaçao, and still scored in neither game.

The path to survival is narrow to the point of near-closure: Ecuador must beat Germany on June 25 in New Jersey. Germany, who beat Ivory Coast with two goals in the final 22 minutes on Saturday, are through and may rotate their squad for the group finale, but they will not simply give a game away to Ecuador.

Beccacece was direct after the game: “We created everything we needed to create. One goalkeeper had a perfect day. We did not.”

Undav strikes twice — Germany are through, and Ecuador’s final opponent is in full form

World Cup

Germany were losing to Ivory Coast at BMO Field in Toronto when Nagelsmann made three substitutions at the 60-minute mark and brought on Deniz Undav.

Eight minutes later Undav volleyed in an Amiri cross to equalise. Twenty-six minutes after that, in the 94th minute, he received a pass from Felix Nmecha, turned on the ball, and fired the winner past Yahia Fofana.

It was the second successive game Undav had won from the bench for Germany, following his contribution against Curaçao on matchday one. He now has five goal contributions in 56 minutes of World Cup football, a rate that will make Nagelsmann’s selection decisions for the knockout stage significantly more complicated.

Germany had two goals ruled out in the first half for fouls in the buildup: Pavlovic, then Havertz. and fell behind to Franck Kessie’s 30th-minute finish after Amad had an initial shot saved by Neuer.

Germany top Group E with six points and are through to the round of 32. Ivory Coast are on three; they face Curaçao on June 25 in Philadelphia and should win that game, which would take them through as group runners-up.

Germany close out the group stage against Ecuador on June 25 in New Jersey. That game now shapes as Ecuador’s last chance and Germany’s opportunity to manage the squad before the knockout phase begins.

Uruguay vs Cape Verde tonight — the game Group H cannot afford to get wrong

World Cup

Uruguay face Cape Verde tonight at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 6pm ET, the fixture that was expected to provide three comfortable points and now carries genuine risk after matchday one left Group H entirely level.

Cape Verde held Spain 0-0; Uruguay drew Saudi Arabia 1-1 without De Arrascaeta and Araújo through injury. Their availability tonight is the most closely watched fitness question in South American football this week.

If both return, Uruguay are a significantly different team. De Arrascaeta provides the creative thread that was visibly absent against Saudi Arabia; Araújo provides the defensive authority that makes Bielsa’s high line viable and gives the back line a leader it was missing in Miami’s humidity.

Cape Verde are organised; Vozinha will be the toughest keeper Uruguay face in this campaign. A passive Bielsa approach will not be enough against a side that held Spain for 90 minutes.

A win tonight puts Uruguay on four points before the Spain game on June 26 in Guadalajara, in control of their qualification path. A draw leaves them needing a result against Spain, which is a different and much harder conversation.

Argentina on Monday, Colombia on Tuesday, Brazil on Friday — South America’s week ahead

World Cup

Monday June 22 : Argentina vs Austria (Arlington, Texas, 9pm ET)

The defending champions face Austria, who also beat Jordan 3-1; Messi is one goal from Klose’s outright World Cup scoring record. Whether Scaloni gives him the minutes to chase it is the main question.

Tuesday June 23 : Colombia vs DR Congo (Guadalajara)

Colombia lead Group K with three points and DR Congo on one; a win puts Colombia in an almost certain qualifying position. Díaz is fit, the team is settled, and this should be won.

Friday June 24 : Brazil vs Scotland (Miami, 9pm ET)

Brazil are top of Group C and Scotland must win to advance. Neymar is available for selection; if Brazil have enough to manage the game, expect him on the bench for twenty minutes.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Can Ecuador still qualify after drawing Curaçao 0-0?

Mathematically yes, practically almost certainly no. Ecuador are on zero points after two games; they must beat Germany on June 25 in New Jersey, and Ivory Coast must fail to beat Curaçao in Philadelphia on the same day.

Germany have six points and nine goals from two games; a rotation does not make them easy; Ecuador have not scored in 180 World Cup minutes. The absence of goals (not of chances) is the problem Beccacece must solve.

How many saves did Eloy Room make for Curaçao against Ecuador?

Fifteen. Eloy Room made 15 saves against Ecuador at Kansas City Stadium on June 20, giving Curaçao their first-ever World Cup point in a 0-0 draw.

According to ESPN’s World Cup data, Ecuador’s 15 shots on target without scoring were the most in any World Cup match since 1966.

Room, 35, represented the Netherlands at youth level before committing to Curaçao; he spent most of his career in the Eredivisie. His performance Saturday was the most complete goalkeeping display of this group stage; Curaçao face Ivory Coast on June 25.

What does Uruguay need from tonight’s game against Cape Verde?

A win. Uruguay are on one point after drawing Saudi Arabia 1-1 in matchday one; Group H has all four teams level after the opening round.

A win tonight puts Uruguay on four points and in strong control of their Group H qualification path ahead of the Spain game on June 26.

A draw leaves Uruguay needing to beat Spain, a much harder ask. Cape Verde held Spain 0-0; De Arrascaeta and Araújo, both absent against Saudi Arabia, are the key fitness variables for tonight.