[World Cup] Ecuador's onslaught fails to break down Curacao's guardian Room, who makes a staggering '15 saves' in a 0-0 draw
In the World Cup clash between Ecuador and Curacao, Ecuador dominated the majority of the match with an overwhelming offensive, while Curacao engaged in a literal desperate defensive battle. The match ended in a scoreless (0-0) draw, with both teams sharing a point.
Looking at the stats, Ecuador showcased a tremendous wave of attacks, recording 75% ball possession, 27 shots, and an expected goals (xG) of 2.84. However, Curacao's guardian Room, who reigned in front of the goal, produced a series of miraculous saves, standing as an iron wall before Ecuador.
1. Possession and Passing: Ecuador suffocates the opponent with 75% possession and 43 touches in the opposition box
Ecuador approached the match with an attacking 3-1-4-2 formation, while Curacao set up with a solid 5-4-1 defensive block.
Ball Possession: Ecuador 75% vs 25% Curacao
Accurate Passes (Success Rate): Ecuador 581 (90%) vs 159 (70%) Curacao
Passes in the Attacking Third (Success Rate): Ecuador 191 (81%) vs 32 (62%) Curacao
Touches in the Opponent's Box: Ecuador 43 vs 12 Curacao
Ecuador dominated the pitch throughout the match, distributing 581 accurate passes (90% success rate). They sent 191 passes into the attacking third and recorded a staggering '43' touches in Curacao's penalty area, turning the match into a half-court game. On the other hand, Curacao was forced into a tough defensive battle, managing only 159 passes.
2. Number and Quality of Decisive Chances: The tragedy of Ecuador, having all 6 big chances and an xG of '2.84' blocked
The stats in the final phase of the attack clearly tell the story of how Ecuador created decisive opportunities time and again, only to fall just short.
Total Shots (On Target): Ecuador 27 (15) vs 10 (3) Curacao
Shots in the Penalty Area: Ecuador 21 vs 4 Curacao
Big Chances (Missed): Ecuador 6 (6) vs 0 (0) Curacao
Expected Goals (xG): Ecuador 2.84 vs 0.50 Curacao
xG Set Pieces: Ecuador 1.27 vs 0.00 Curacao
Ecuador rained down a total of 27 shots, including 21 from inside the penalty area, with 15 of them on target. They created '6' big chances and reached an xG of 2.84, but missed every single one of them. They showed a diverse approach, recording an xG of 1.27 from set pieces in addition to open play, but could not break down Curacao's fortress.
3. Physical Defense: Curacao survives with 32 clearances and a staggering '15 saves'
Facing Ecuador's onslaught, the astonishing defensive stats shown by the Curacao backline prove everything about this valuable point.
Duels Won: Ecuador 51 (50%) vs 52 (50%) Curacao
Ground Duels Won: Ecuador 36 (52%) vs 33 (48%) Curacao
Aerial Duels Won: Ecuador 15 (44%) vs 19 (56%) Curacao
Clearances / Goalkeeper Saves: Ecuador 17 / 3 vs 32 / 15 Curacao
Curacao recorded a 56% win rate in aerial duels to clear high balls, and showcased a desperate defense centered on the backline with '32 clearances'. Above all, guardian Room achieved a clean sheet with an unprecedented performance of 15 saves, stopping every one of the 15 shots on target fired by Ecuador.
4. Curacao's hero who hit the highest rating, and Ecuador's struggle
In individual ratings, Curacao's goalkeeper, who literally drove Ecuador's powerful attack to despair single-handedly, has been given an otherworldly top rating.
[Curacao]
★ No. 11 Room: Rating 9.3 ★
Shut out all 15 of Ecuador's shots on target and 6 big chances with miraculous catches and saves. He was the absolute hero who literally saved the team from defeat and was chosen as the undisputed MOM.
[Ecuador]
No. 23 Caicedo: Rating 8.4
Perfectly controlled the game from the base of the midfield, holding the baton of accurate passing and creating decisive chances time and again.
No. 15 Vite: Rating 8.1
Led the breakdown of the attacking third with effective runs forward and chance creation.
[Editor's Column] 27 shots of onslaught bear no fruit. A scoreless draw packed with the true thrill of football
As the stats show, the match was a one-sided game where Ecuador completely controlled the pitch, and it would not have been strange if a goal had been scored at any moment.
For Ecuador, failing to take 3 points while recording 27 shots, an xG of 2.84, and 6 big chances is a very regrettable result. However, even more than that, the superhuman performance of '15 saves' by Curacao's guardian Room was of a quality that will surely be one of the highlights of this tournament. Curacao, having defended with all their might, snatched a proud point, while for Ecuador, the 90 minutes left a lingering issue regarding their finishing ability for the next match.
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