Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece insisted «it’s not over yet» after his side’s World Cup hopes were left hanging by a thread following a shock 0-0 draw against Curacao, whose goalkeeper Eloy Room made a historic 15-save performance to deny the South Americans.
The result left Ecuador with one point from two matches in Group E after an opening 1-0 defeat to 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 that you always have to keep working, always learn, and that challenges can become opportunities,” Beccacece told reporters.
«It is normal now to feel this pain and this disappointment, but this is not over yet. We still have 100 minutes ahead of us and we will be there in a responsible way to try to achieve our goals.»
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Ecuador dominated for a long time but could not get past 37-year-old Room, who produced a series of spectacular stops and was named man of the match. Beccacece’s team finished the match with 28 goal attempts.
“There are things you cannot explain in football,” said the Argentinian coach. «Anything I say could be counterproductive. We wanted to win. We didn’t do it. I’m the one who bears the responsibility.»
Ecuador arrived at the World Cup on the back of a 19-match unbeaten run, having finished runners-up to reigning world champions Argentina in South American qualifying, and also enjoyed long periods of dominance against Ivory Coast.
Despite the setback, Beccacece defended his players’ efforts. “The team deserved more than they got,” he said.
Published on June 21, 2026
