Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room wrote his name into World Cup history by making 15 saves, the most in a 90-minute match since records began in 1966, as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament finals held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw.
Six days after losing 7-1 to Germany, Room, 37, produced a stunning performance to keep Curacao’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
“I grew, we all grew, this was a team effort,” he said. “We've been fighting, fighting up to the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curacao is absolutely great.”
Meanwhile, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there were no issues within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand. Later, Spain bid to get their first win against Saudi Arabia, while Belgium are in action against Iran.
Last night, Tunisia became the third team to exit the World Cup after a 4-0 defeat to impressive Japan. Tunisia sacked their coach Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 defeat to Sweden, but the arrival of Herve Renard could not prevent another defeat.
World Cup 2026 - latest
- World Cup latest news and updates as group stages continue
- Heroic Eloy Room breaks goalkeeper record to help Curacao create history
- How Curacao goalkeeper made history with 15-save performance
- Japan thrash Tunisia to knock North Africa side out of World Cup
- Egypt coach Hossam Hassan denies Mohamed Salah rift
- Later, Spain bid for first win against Saudi Arabia in Group H
Luis de la Fuente compares Lamine Yamal to Salvador Dali and Michelangelo
14:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said he did not want to compare 18-year-old Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona - but had no problem comparing the teenager to “geniuses” Salvador Dali and Michelangelo.
“The worst mistake we could make would be to compare him to anyone,” De la Fuente said. “He is the midst of a process. He has exceptional footballing maturity and lives it all with total naturalness. He has great serenity and strength. We have to let him follow his path but those players who have something different are ready for that.
“They are geniuses, like Dali can paint a picture, or Michelangelo. They’re different. What is exceptional to us, isn’t to them. In those extremes, they feel comfortable. Why? Because they are different. What we think is exceptional, they consider normal.”
Bukayo Saka not involved in group training as England prepare for Ghana showdown
13:56 , Jamie Braidwood
Bukayo Saka was not involved in group training yesterday as England stepped up preparations for Tuesday’s World Cup clash with Ghana.
Saka, who came off the bench in Wednesday’s opening win against Croatia, was training on an individual programme as he continues to manage an Achilles injury which troubled him in the latter part of the domestic season.
There are no concerns for Saka’s fitness for the match in Boston as his trajectory towards full fitness continues.
Boss Thomas Tuchel expects him to be ready to start the final group game against Panama next Saturday.
Marcelo Bielsa blasts World Cup hydration breaks: ‘Adds nothing but takes away a lot’
13:37 , Flo Clifford
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa criticised the introduction of hydration breaks at this summer’s World Cup, arguing the stoppages in play marked a “change of culture” which “adds nothing” to the sport.
Fifa has introduced mandatory three-minute drinks breaks at the halfway point of each half, ostensibly due to sweltering temperatures across many host cities in the tournament spanning the United States, Mexico and Canada.
But the breaks have come in for widespread criticism for artificially changing the momentum of games, as well as for allowing yet more opportunities for advertising, while balmy temperatures in several games so far have rendered them unnecessary.
Marcelo Bielsa blasts World Cup hydration breaks: ‘Adds nothing, takes away a lot’
Lamine Yamal not expected to start Spain's second World Cup game
13:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Lamine Yamal saw the last 19 minutes of action during Spain’s shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, and was unable to inject creativity into Spain’s attack as they failed to beat the World Cup debutants.
He is not expecting to start against Saudi Arabia as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered a couple of minutes before the tournament. The teenager is also prepared to be patient.
“It’s too soon, it’s unnecessary,” Yamal told RTVE. “I’m in an adaptation process, it’s not the time to play a full match, but I can play as many minutes as the manager wants.”
Declan Rice says England fans 'can be excited' about set-piece prowess
12:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Declan Rice senses he will get an assist every time he takes a set-piece as England attempt to tap into the Arsenal midfielder’s dead-ball expertise at the World Cup.
“I wouldn’t ever take corners or set-pieces, but (set piece coach) Nico (Jover) and the manager (Mikel Arteta) at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn’t,” Rice told the BBC.
“They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo (Saka). From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.
“As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous.
“That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”
TV presenter apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku’s plan to leave World Cup for birth of first child
12:58 , Jamie Braidwood
A French TV presenter has apologised after criticising Belgium winger Jeremy Doku’s decision to leave the World Cup to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
Doku, who will Belgium’s match against Iran on Sunday due to a chest infection, revealed that his wife Shireen is due during the second week of July - which will coincide with the quarter-finals.
The Manchester City forward, 24, told Reuters that he plans to leave the World Cup and return home even if Belgium are still in the tournament. Belgian media reported that plans are being put in place so Doku can travel home via private jet.
However, Doku’s comments were criticised by Channel L'Equipe presenter France Pierron, who said the father is “completely useless” during their child’s birth.
TV presenter apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku’s plan to leave World Cup
Iran coach questions inconsistency as preparation for Belgium match cut short
12:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised their increasingly difficult preparation conditions for Sunday's World Cup match against Belgium, questioning why U.S. authorities appear willing to offer his team greater travel flexibility for their final group game but not their opening fixtures.
Iran have spent the tournament based in Tijuana, Mexico, commuting to the U.S. for their Group G matches because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, an issue that has drawn scrutiny throughout the World Cup.
U.S. officials have said the Iran squad's travel arrangements would continue to be assessed, while discussions over easing some restrictions have continued.
Speaking on Saturday, Ghalenoei said the latest schedule left his team with less than 16 hours to prepare and forced them to cut training short ahead of their meeting with Belgium.
"We only managed to train half the time we usually spend on training," he told reporters via an interpreter. "We wanted to have optimal physical and technical preparation.
The coach said the situation was worse than before Iran's opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand. He said that before that match they had 24 hours to train. "The conditions have become even harder," he said.
Reuters
Roy Keane criticises England WAGs for wearing partners’ names on shirts
12:18 , Holly Patrick
Roy Keane has criticised the wives and girlfriends of England footballers for wearing shirts displaying their partners' surnames during the World Cup.
The commentator and former Manchester United captain, 54, told The Overlap podcast: "Children is fine, but all the wives and partners were in their jerseys with their name on the back, wow...
"The wives, a year later, they're separated, most of them. Wow. And they're all getting pictures, and they're like, 'Look," and they're pointing at Jimmy or Johnny on the back."
Ian Wright appeared to disagree, saying: "Her husband's playing, and she's proud of him, and she wants to wear his shirt."
Keane added: "They don't do it at Old Trafford or Anfield every week, do they? So what's with this World Cup?"
England defender Reece James says discussing injury problems is 'boring'
11:58 , Jamie Braidwood
England defender Reece James says the constant talk around his injury problems is “so boring now”.
James’ career has been plagued by injuries, which saw him suffer heartbreak when ruled out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a disappointment that was compounded by also missing England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.
“People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it’s so boring now.” James told BBC 5 Live. “I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I’m on the pitch. To be honest, I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring.
“I’ve been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don’t listen to too much noise. I just focus on myself, my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I’m playing in.”
PA
Japan fans sweep up World Cup stadium after knocking out Tunisia
11:39 , Jamie Braidwood
Japanese fans celebrated their team's 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the 1,000th match in World Cup history on Saturday by staying behind at Monterrey’s stadium to collect rubbish from the stands.
The practice, known in Japan as gomi hiroi, reflects an emphasis on taking responsibility for shared spaces.
Ken Okawa, 30, said he was happy to bring this tradition to his very first World Cup match as he stooped down to collect discarded cups and other garbage from the floor around his seat.
"We are guests in Mexico," he said. "I have been treated wonderfully, so this is my way of showing my appreciation."
The practice is instilled from a very young age in Japan, where schoolchildren are taught to clean up their own classrooms.
Miku Takeya, 41, said that the habit of tidying up after herself has become second nature.
"It's a natural part of our culture," she said. "We do this to ensure that everything we use is left clean so that the next person can use it comfortably."
Reuters
Later tonight: Spain bid for first win of World Cup against Saudi Arabia
11:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Spain do not have to win when they take on Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday, owing to the bloated format at World Cup 2026, but improvements in attack will be a must.
Having been held by Cape Verde in one of the great World Cup shocks on Monday, Luis de la Fuente will be hoping star man Lamine Yamal can contribute more than 19 minutes off the bench as he battles back from a hamstring injury.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, battled to a creditable draw against Uruguay in their opener and have no reason to feel overawed having beaten Argentina at the last tournament in Qatar.
Is Spain v Saudi Arabia on TV? How to watch World Cup 2026 match
Ecuador coach says World Cup hopes 'not over yet' after shock Curacao draw
10:58 , Jamie Braidwood
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece insisted "it is not over yet" after his side's World Cup hopes were left hanging by a thread after a shock 0-0 draw with Curacao, whose goalkeeper Eloy Room gave a historic 15-save performance to deny the South Americans.
The result left Ecuador with one point from two Group E matches after their opening 1-0 defeat by the Ivory Coast, and needing a result against heavyweights Germany in New Jersey on Thursday to have any chance of reaching the round of 32.
"Life has taught me you have to always continue to work, always learn, and challenges can become opportunities," Beccacece told reporters.
"It is normal now to feel this pain, this disappointment, but this is not over yet. We have 100 minutes ahead of us, and we're going to be there in a sound way to try to reach our goals."
Tunisia coach Herve Renard on 'painful' World Cup exit
10:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Tunisia are out of the World Cup after just two matches, while conceding nine goals, and head coach Herve Renard accepted that Japan’s 4-0 victory was reflective of their dominance.
“It is not the performance we were hoping for. The score of this second match is heavy, but it reflects the difference between the two teams tonight," said Renard, who was drafted in following Tunisia’s 5-1 defeat to Sweden.
"Even if we are eliminated we still have a third game to play. We are in a World Cup, and we must remain focused. It is important to get ready to fight for this third game against the Netherlands.
"It’s never easy after two losses in two games but we must take our responsibilities to be professionals to the very end."
Who is Eloy Room? How Curacao goalkeeper made history with 15-save performance
10:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room wrote his name into World Cup history by making 15 saves to earn the tiny Caribbean nation their first ever point at the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.
Room, 37, broke the record for the most saves in a 90-minute World Cup match since records began in 1966. Only the USA’s Tim Howard has made more stops in a World Cup game, with 16 in an extra-time defeat to Belgium in 2014.
Curacao is home to just 156,000 people, making them the smallest country to compete at the World Cup, and Room is the latest veteran goalkeeper to make his mark at the tournament following the performance of Cape Verde’s Vozinha in the 0-0 draw against Spain.
“I think I need a statue in Curacao now,” Room said.
Who is Eloy Room? How Curacao goalkeeper made history with 15-save performance
Baseball, Ella Langley concert and cowboy boots: Inside an England squad player’s different World Cup
09:58 , Jamie Braidwood
Meanwhile, in Kansas City, one of the happier tourists in the England camp is Dan Burn. The Newcastle man is enjoying what promises to be his first and only World Cup at 34 years of age. And he told Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly just what it's like to be a squad player for Thomas Tuchel at a major tournament. Beyond the training, to ensure he is fit and ready to feature against Ghana or Panama, Burn has taken in a Kansas City Royals baseball match, an Ella Langley concert and even dressed up as a cowboy. Burn's impact on the pitch may be minimal, but it's all part of Tuchel's masterplan to blend different personalities and ensure harmony in the champ.
Baseball and cowboy boots: Inside Dan Burn’s different World Cup
Germany’s Undav breaks Ivory Coast hearts with 94th-minute winner
09:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Germany weathered a storm as the Ivory Coast gave them a fright before another unlikely star striker delivered the firepower to secure a knockout place for the first time since 2014. Julian Nagelsmann was thrilled to see super-sub, and former Brighton forward, Deniz Undav provide the spark needed to rally from behind against the Elephants. Is Kai Havertz's place at risk? Well, it could prove a fascinating issue for Germany as they prepare for the last 32 with a final group stage game against Ecuador. "Maybe he can start next time," said the Germany boss.
Coach Hassan denies Salah rift as Egypt eye historic World Cup win
09:31 , Jamie Braidwood
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there were no issues within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in their crucial World Cup Group G match at BC Place.
Salah, 34, scored nine goals in the qualifying campaign and provided an assist for Emam Ashour in their opener with Belgium. But he was substituted in the 76th minute of that 1-1 draw in Seattle, with highly-rated teenager Hamza Abdelkarim coming on.
"Salah is an important player for our squad, and the 26 players who are here with me are very important," Hassan told reporters. "Every player who has worked with me knows I deal with them in a professional manner. I do not have favourites.
"Salah is a great player who helps his teammates. He has a lot of discipline and is a role model.
"If he starts ... or if he gets substituted, it's fine. It is his role as a player. Everyone knows that I am working for the benefit of the team and the national side.
"Rumours are being spread about stars, about players, about teams. But Salah is someone who is very disciplined," he added.
"He trains with us. He's the first player that would also say yes to my decisions as a technical director. So I think he will be very positive tomorrow."
Netherlands discover secret weapon to secure World Cup lift-off in Houston
09:18 , Jamie Braidwood
The Netherlands have lift-off at this World Cup after a devastating performance in Houston to ease past Sweden 5-1 and it was led by a surprise protagonist. Brian Brobbey outshone everyone, as Lawrence Ostlere gathered inside the air-conditioned NRG Stadium, with the Sunderland man emerging as a secret weapon for Ronald Koeman. Solid at the back and midfield, with Cody Gakpo grabbing a brace, too, and Crysencio Summerville banishing bad memories from the past season with West Ham, the Oranje are finally dancing to the trance tunes of their army of supporters and threaten to go far.
Netherlands reveal their secret weapon at the World Cup as Sweden’s level is exposed
Julian Nagelsmann hints at Deniz Undav change after Germany striker inspires World Cup victory
08:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Deniz Undav put himself in pole position to start for Germany moving forward at the World Cup 2026 after he scored two goals off the bench a thrilling comeback to beat Ivory Coast.
The 2-1 victory in their World Cup Group E match on Saturday secured their place in the knockout stage for the first time since they won the title in 2014.
And Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann conceded Undav may now start against Ecuador on Thursday in New York.
"Maybe he can start next time,” said the Germany coach. “I think that every player would love to be in the starting lineup, but I think he's very happy as it is right now.
"In the end, we deservedly won it. The boys invested a lot. I'm very happy for the whole team."
Nagelsmann hints at Undav change after Germany striker inspires World Cup victory
Today at the World Cup: Fixtures and where to watch
08:44 , Jamie Braidwood
5pm BST – Spain 🇪🇸 v Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 (Group H) – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
8pm BST – Belgium 🇧🇪 v Iran 🇮🇷 (Group G ) – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
11pm BST – Uruguay 🇺🇾 v Cape Verde 🇨🇻 (Group H) – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
2am BST – New Zealand 🇳🇿 v Egypt 🇪🇬 (Group G) – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
ITV upgrades Emma Hayes’ tactics corner after sexism storm over ‘kitchen’ set
08:29 , Jamie Braidwood
ITV pundit Emma Hayes received an upgrade to the set used for her tactical analysis after the kitchen-esque design initially sparked something of a sexism row at World Cup 2026.
Hayes, who is the current US women’s team manager and whose seven Women’s Super League titles during her time at Chelsea made her one of the most highly-respected tacticians in world football, delivered tactical insights during England’s impressive opening 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday.
But viewers were left baffled and distracted by ITV’s decision to station her away from the main punditry in a part of the set that resembled a show kitchen, with a chalkboard affixed to a brick column, surrounded by cupboards and drawers that looked as if they should contain cutlery and crockery.
ITV upgrades Emma Hayes’ tactics corner after sexism storm over ‘kitchen’ set
‘It’s different, the freedom I have’: Cody Gakpo leaves behind Liverpool struggles with World Cup show
07:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Gakpo was criticised for his form at Liverpool this season but he comes alive in a Dutch shirt and delivered again on the World Cup stage as the Netherlands thrashed Sweden, reports Lawrence Ostlere from Houston
‘It’s different, the freedom I have’: Gakpo forgets Liverpool struggles at World Cup
'They fought like lions': Advocaat proud after Curacao earn first World Cup point
07:44 , Jamie Braidwood
Curacao coach Dick Advocaat saluted his players and the tiny Caribbean island after holding Ecuador to a 0-0 draw to earn their first ever point at the World Cup.
Advocaat, 78, said the Curacao supporters deserved praise after the nation, which is home to just 156,000 people, were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in their opening game.
The people on Curacao have given us their support from the of outset," Advocaat said. "Particularly last week, after the 7-1, people were still celebrating on the island and people were full of joy.
"It was a mad house tonight. So I think that for people whose life is not always that easy, I really wish them to celebrate `this success.
"Maybe Germany came too early," he added. "That day they were simply out of our league, but today the team was standing as it should have been standing.
"They were fighting like lions and then you see what you can achieve against a team that's playing on a very high level with very high individual levels of the players."
‘Sorry, old habits!’ Gary Lineker jokes with Laura Woods during surprise ITV cameo at World Cup 2026
07:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Gary Lineker was back in familiar territory on Saturday night as he returned to free-to-air TV and even kicked off his ITV stint with a brief cameo as a presenter.
Lineker, who presented BBC’s Match of the Day for 26 years until he departed the corporation last May, was announced on Friday as a pundit for ITV’s coverage of Germany against Ivory Coast in Group E of the World Cup.
However, Lineker started his appearance on ITV with a typically light-hearted moment after he started to present the show before presenter Laura Woods interjected in comical fashion.
“Thank you very much for joining us on ITV for this one. Another day, another game, another channel,” Lineker started before being cut off by Woods.
Woods added: “Gary, that’s my job!” Lineker replied: “Sorry, sorry. Old habits!”
You can take the man out of the presenting chair but you can't take the presenter out of @GaryLineker 😅 pic.twitter.com/ubMAOiGisN
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2026
Curacao's Eloy Room emulates USA's Tim Howard
07:21 , Jamie Braidwood
The World Cup record for most saves in a match still belongs to the USA’s Tim Howard after the former Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper made 16 against Belgium in the last-16 of the 2014 World Cup.
However, that included a period of extra time, while Howard ended up conceding two goals as the USA were knocked out.
Curacao's Eloy Room made 15 saves, all within the 90-minute match, and kept a clean sheet to secure the tiny nation their first ever World Cup point.
Japan thrash Tunisia to knock North Africa side out of World Cup
07:09 , Jamie Braidwood
Japan thrashed Tunisia 4-0 to move to the brink of the World Cup knockout stages, while the North Africans were eliminated after a second successive defeat in Group F.
Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after four minutes, bundling home Keito Nakamura's low cross from close range, before Ayase Ueda doubled Japan's lead in the 30th minute with a fierce low drive into the far corner.
Japan stayed in control after the break and Ueda set up Junya Ito for their third with a`lofted pass before heading in his second of the night from a deep cross, making Japan the first Asian side to score four goals in a World Cup match.
Japan join the Netherlands on four points, with Tunisia, playing their first game under new coach Herve Renard after a 5-1 loss to Sweden, becoming the tournament's third eliminated side, joining Haiti and Turkey.
Eloy Room denies Ecuador in stunning display
07:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Ecuador's Enner Valencia had a terrific chance in the third minute when he was one-on-one with Eloy Room, but the keeper, who plays for Miami FC in the USL Championship, dived to tip the ball wide of the post with a stunning one-handed save.
That set the stage for Room's heroic display as he repeatedly denied Ecuador and gradually turned frustration into disbelief among the South American side and their supporters. "I still have to process myself," Room said.
"The match is full of emotions. I knew it was going to be a tough match. The first save, the tone was put in place, also for the team.
"It gave me confidence and I grew, we all grew, this was a team effort. We've been fighting, fighting up to the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curacao is absolutely great."
Heroic Eloy Room breaks goalkeeper record to help Curacao create history in first World Cup point
07:01 , Jamie Braidwood
A heroic performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room created history for Curacao as they earned a first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a 0-0 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 he acted as a one-man barrier, with Dick Advocaat’s brave side bouncing 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 can somehow beat Ivory Coast in their final match.
Heroic Eloy Room breaks goalkeeper record as Curacao earn first World Cup point
