Curacao's Historic World Cup Journey: Small Nation, Big Dreams
Curaçao and DR Congo secured their inaugural World Cup points with draws against Ecuador. These two nations made history at this year's FIFA World Cup.
Video Transcript
When Curaao qualified for the World Cup, they completed a fairy tale journey onto football's grandest stage.
With a population of just over 150,000, they are the smallest country to ever qualify for the tournament finals.
But what I said in the beginning also in, in the Dutch language, everybody can surprise, and why not Curaao?
So that's w- that's what we try to do.
Undeterred by their 7-1 loss to Germany in their opening game, Curaao's fighting spirit shone through against Ecuador, achieving an historic milestone.
By holding Ecuador to a goalless draw, the Blue Wave earned its maiden World Cup points, and they had goalkeeper Eloy Room to thank.
Room's heroics denied a relentless Ecuador attack, making an extraordinary 15 saves, the second-most in a single game in World Cup history.
Curaao's draw against Ecuador was another in a string of upsets at this World Cup, as the tournament minnows achieved an historic milestone.
DR Congo are participating at their first World Cup in 52 years, and their first since competing as Zaire way back in 1974.
It's an historic occasion for the African side, though preparations for their drought-breaking tournament were anything but smooth sailing.
Before arriving in the United States, they were forced to spend three weeks in isolation in Europe due to an Ebola outbreak in their home country.
The preparation was very good.
it didn't affect us, on anything.
we prepare very good in, in Europe.
everything was, perfect.
Despite this complication, the Leopards were full of belief heading into their first game against Portugal, one of the highly fancied teams at the World Cup.
It means the world to, to be, to be a part of this team to, that's gonna attend to the first World Cup since f- 52 years.
I'm really happy, really proud of it, and, can't look forward, I can't wait to, to play the first game.
All the team, feel very good, and we confident to, to do a good game against one of the best team in the world.
Not only did DR Congo score their first goal of the World Cup, they also secured their first points, with Johan Wissa heading home to give his side a scarcely believable 1-1 draw.
After 52 years away from the World Cup, DR Congo conjured up the most famous result in their history, while overcoming a severe Ebola outbreak.
The squad was forced into isolation before arriving in the United States, preparations that were anything but smooth sailing.
