A 37-Year-Old Goalie From the Smallest World Cup Nation Is Now a Legend

There is something special in the air across North America this summer.

First, Cape Verde and their 40-year-old goaltender Josimar “Vozinha” Dias stonewalled the European champions Spain in their opening match.

Now, a 37-year-old goalkeeper in Eloy Room, somehow playing for an even smaller nation in Curaçao, stopped a record 15 shots in regulation time against Ecuador to give his country their first-ever World Cup point.

While the top star of the day is without debate, here are the other two players joining the new goalkeeping legend on the podium for Day 10 of the World Cup.

More news: Curaçao's Goalkeeper Just Did Something No World Cup Player Has Since 1966

More news: An NFL Legend's Son Is Becoming One of the Young Stars at the World Cup

Bronze Star: Brian Brobbey (Netherlands)

The Dutch looked strong in their opener against Japan, but they lacked a presence at the top of their spear to make them truly deadly on attack. On Saturday, that’s where Brian Brobbey came in to be that X-factor at center forward, the big, physical attacker scoring two goals in the first 20 minutes of the game. He gives the Netherlands a different edge that they didn’t have in their opener against Japan, and though he might not be the shiniest name or flashiest player, he might be the missing puzzle piece to unlocking the Oranje offense.

Silver Star: Ayase Ueda (Japan)

Ueda already has rumors of moving to the Premier League this summer, but he might be even more expensive following this World Cup. The leading scorer in the Eredivisie last season at Feyenoord was fantastic for the Blue Samurai against Tunisia, showcasing his skill with his leg on an outside shot that powered into the net and then utilizing his body control to float a header for a goal at the end of the match. If Japan wants to make it to their first-ever quarterfinal, Ueda will need to be their ace, especially if Takefusa Kubo doesn’t recover from the injury that kept him from the Tunisia game.

Gold Star: Eloy Room (Curaçao)

I mean, who else could it be?

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM.