The Tricolor team of Ecuador is on the tightrope after the goalless draw against the apparently weak Curacao, and its followers have lost hope that it will avoid elimination in the first round of Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In this match, Eloy Room, Miami FC goalkeeper and second division player, made 15 phenomenal saves to give Curacao its first point.

Mathematically, both representatives still have a remote chance of surviving in the competition. “I scored at least 11 scoring chances,” said Ecuadorian Julio Saad, who could not hide his frustration. "Now Germany is coming and I say they are going to lose, but they have to lose with dignity. The Ecuadorian fan pointed out that there would be no need to think about a replacement of players or coaches, although the Argentine Sebastián Beccacece came out amidst whistles and boos at the Kansas City Stadium. "The only thing I can say is that the players lacked motivation; “They played as if they had not been paid,” said Saad.

His reference was the offensive ineffectiveness of Pedro Vite, Moisés Caicedo; Gonzalo Plata, Enner Valencia and John Yeboah.

Complicated panorama

Pablo Moreno, owner with his wife of the “Donde Angie” restaurant in the city of Norwalk, said: “We were all hoping to win so that qualification for the next phase would be a little easier.”

“Many thought it would be an easy game and the people of Curacao gave us a good lesson that things are not as they seem,” added the Ecuadorian born in the Sierra de Quito. "Now, as we say in Ecuador, against Germany we will risk our victory."

The match between Ecuador and Germany will be played on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

Moreno brought the party and joy to the venue where dozens of his compatriots gathered once again, who were frustrated by his team's inability to score a single goal. He covered his face with the mask of the devil Huma (or Aya Huma), a mythical and spiritual character central to the indigenous cultures of the Ecuadorian Sierra. His name in Kichwa means "spirit head." He is the guardian of nature, community leader and guide in agricultural festivities.

“It is the joy in the carnivals of Ecuador,” he said. “This time the amulet did not work, but we are hoping to gain strength against Germany.”

In its World Cup debut, Ecuador was beaten 1-0 by Ivory Coast, which lost 2-1 to Germany and was left with three points. The German team secured its place in the round of 32 and the second place in box E will have to be disputed by the other three countries.

“We are already eliminated,” said a hopeless Juan Toral, a native of Esmeralda, Ecuador. “We have nothing to do anymore.”

Toral pointed out that among his compatriots there were some who were happy about the 0-0 draw. "It doesn't cause me any joy because it is going to be a very big burden against Germany and well, let's be realistic, we are going to lose, but we have to lose with dignity. Against Germany there is nothing to do."

Little offensive clarity

The match for Ecuador was crucial. The victory was necessary to continue dreaming of advancing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, the few clear goal options could not be achieved: one of them in the boots of their star attacker, Enner Valencia, just two minutes into the game.

“It was boring the first half,” said Diego Mosquera, events manager at the Sheraton hotel in San Diego. “The boys lacked motivation, although we were a little better than in the game against Ivory Coast.”

His sister, Frida Mosquera, a student at Cal State Los Angeles, added: "We continued to battle for the first goal. I think the players needed more spirit and heart."

More critical of the Tricolor were Juan Soria and his wife, Cristina Álvarez.

"Ecuador should not have been so passive, but more aggressive in attack. It was frustrating to see that they didn't play at all, and so what awaits us is elimination or a rout against Germany," said Soria, born in Quito.

“The first half was disappointing,” said Mrs. Álvarez, from the province of Manabí.