‘They fought like lions’: Lawyer proud after Curaçao scores first FIFA World Cup point

As Curaçao’s players celebrated their first-ever World Cup point on Saturday after a 0-0 draw against Ecuador, coach Dick Advocaat’s thoughts turned to the streets, bars and houses of the small Caribbean island where a country of 156,000 inhabitants rejoiced.

The former Dutch coach said the result, which came courtesy of goalkeeper Eloy Room’s 15 saves, was a reward for supporters who never lost confidence despite suffering a painful 7-1 defeat to Germany in his World Cup debut six days earlier.

“The people of Curaçao have given us their support from the beginning,” said Advocaat. “Especially last week, after the 7-1, people were still partying on the island and people were full of joy.

«It was crazy tonight. So I think for people whose lives aren’t always easy, I really wish they would celebrate this success.»

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Advocaat said the warm reception the players received after the loss to Germany had left a lasting impression and fueled their response against Ecuador.

And although he had tears in his eyes during the match against Germany, the 78-year-old coach was relatively calm on Saturday.

“Today I wasn’t that emotional, not like I was during the first game, and today not at all, because I felt like we played the game well, and then you don’t have to get emotional,” he said.

«What stirred emotions during the first match was the fact that we had lost 7-1 and that the crowd was so enthusiastic to welcome the players. Usually in such a case you get (criticism) but the opposite happened.»

«(The team) gave it back to the crowd today. I thought that was a wonderful moment to experience.»

For many observers, Curacao’s opening match seemed to confirm fears that the expanded 48-team FIFA tournament would produce a series of one-sided matches.

However, Advocaat said his side’s performance against Ecuador showed the true level of his players.

«Maybe Germany came too early,» he said. “That day they were simply out of our league, but today the team was where it should have been.

“They fought like lions and then you see what you can achieve against a team that plays at a very high level with very high individual levels of the players.”

And with Curaçao still alive heading into their final group match, Advocaat had a message for those celebrating at home.

«What would I say to the people? Keep supporting us, keep helping us. It gives us wings,» he said. “We fight for the country.”

Curaçao will play Ivory Coast in the final match in Group E, while Ecuador will face Germany.

Published on June 21, 2026