Goalkeeper Eloy Room played a decisive role in securing the result, making 15 saves as Curacao frustrated Ecuador throughout the match.

Room, who plays in the US second tier for Miami FC, was the standout performer and was named Player of the Match. His tally of 15 saves in normal time, including six in the first half, left him just one save short of the World Cup record.

The record of 16 saves is held by former United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, who achieved it in his country's 2-1 extra-time defeat by Belgium in the last 16 of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The point was Curacao’s first after a heavy 7-1 defeat to Germany in their opening match. It was also Ecuador’s first point of the tournament after their 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast.

As a result, Ecuador’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stage have become more complicated. They will face group leaders Germany in their final match after Germany secured the top spot and qualification with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast are second in the group with three points heading into the final round of fixtures.