Eloy Room turned Curacao’s first World Cup point into a goalkeeping record that had stood untouched across nearly six decades of tracked tournament data.

The 37-year-old did not just keep Ecuador out. He dragged Curaçao through wave after wave of pressure and made the draw feel like a victory.

For a nation still new to this stage, it was a survival act with historic weight.

An OptaJoe post confirmed Room made 15 saves against Ecuador, the most on record since 1966 by any goalkeeper in a World Cup match that did not feature extra time.

The match finished Ecuador 0-0 Curacao in Kansas City, giving Curaçao their first-ever World Cup point. Ecuador dominated possession, territory and chances, but Room kept finding a way across his line.

His saves came against repeated pressure from Ecuador’s attackers, including efforts involving Enner Valencia, Gonzalo Plata and John Yeboah. Curacao defended deep, absorbed long spells without the ball and relied heavily on Room’s positioning and reactions.

The record-setting night was not just about volume. Ecuador put 15 shots on target and Room stopped all 15, turning a statistical mismatch into a clean sheet.

The important distinction is extra time. Tim Howard’s iconic 16-save performance for the United States against Belgium in 2014 remains the widely cited overall single-game World Cup benchmark, but that match lasted 120 minutes.

Howard set that mark in a 2-1 round-of-16 defeat, holding Belgium scoreless through 90 minutes before Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku struck in extra time.

Room now sits above every goalkeeper for a non-extra-time World Cup match. Howard is still just above him on the broader list with 16, while Guillermo Ochoa’s 2014 display for Mexico against Brazil remains another modern high-save reference point below that elite tier.

The draw also changed Curaçao’s tournament mood after their heavy opening defeat to Germany. Instead of another painful night, Room gave them belief and a place in World Cup record books.

Some clean sheets are routine. This one was a goalkeeper building a wall for 90 minutes.

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Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Kick-off: 12:00 local (19:00 BST)

Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, USA

Stage: Group B, Matchday 3

TV/Streaming (UK): ITV / ITVX

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With Canada (4 pts) and Switzerland (4 pts) both already through to the next round on current form, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar are level on one point apiece heading into this final group fixture. A win for either side could yet secure third place and a potential knockout-stage berth under the expanded 48-team format, but defeat almost certainly means an early flight home. Bosnia and Herzegovina carry a goal difference of -3 while Qatar sit at -6, meaning the Bosnians hold a clear advantage if the sides cannot be separated on points. In short, this is as close to a knockout tie as a group-stage game gets.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have the superior squad depth, better goal difference and far more at stake in terms of realistic progression, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar prediction here points firmly to a home win at 4/9. At that price the value is thin for a straight win, so the smarter Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar best bet is pairing Bosnia and Herzegovina to win with over 2.5 goals at evens, given both sides’ need to attack and Qatar’s alarming 0-6 reverse against Canada.

Bosnia and Herzegovina arrive at this game having shown enough quality to suggest they belong at this level, even if results have not always reflected it. A 1-1 draw with Canada on Matchday 1 was a creditable point against the co-hosts, but the 4-1 defeat to Switzerland exposed their defensive frailties badly. Jovo Lukic’s goal gave them a brief lifeline against the Swiss before the dam broke, and coach Sergej Barbarez will know his side cannot survive another shipping of four goals if they are to progress.

Qatar’s situation is considerably more desperate. The 0-6 hammering by Canada was a sobering return to World Cup football after their home debut in 2022, and Julen Lopetegui’s side have now conceded seven goals in two appearances at this tournament. Their solitary point came from a 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Matchday 1, which at the time looked a reasonable platform to build from. That platform has since crumbled. Qatar need a win here and hope that other results fall kindly, making this effectively a must-win contest.

The game sets up as a fascinating clash of necessity versus quality. Bosnia and Herzegovina boast the tournament experience of Edin Dzeko and an attack built around direct football and wide delivery, while Qatar carry genuine pace in Akram Afif and the threat of Almoez Ali, who has been Qatar’s most reliable scorer in recent years. However, the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar odds reflect the gulf in current form and goal difference, and it is hard to make a genuine case for Qatar to get the win they need.

– Switzerland (A): Lost 1-4 (World Cup, 18 June 2026) – Canada (A): Drew 1-1 (World Cup, 12 June 2026) – Panama (N): Drew 1-1 (Friendly, 6 June 2026) – North Macedonia (H): Drew 0-0 (Friendly, 29 May 2026) – Italy (H): Drew 1-1 (World Cup Qualifying, 31 March 2026)

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s recent run tells a story of a team that can hold its own against quality opposition but struggles to convert pressure into decisive wins. Four draws in their last five before the Switzerland defeat underline a side that is difficult to beat but equally hard to back with confidence. Their qualifying campaign was robust enough, finishing 5W 4D 1L across ten games, but this World Cup has asked tougher questions and the answers have not always been convincing.

– Canada (A): Lost 0-6 (World Cup, 18 June 2026) – Switzerland (H): Drew 1-1 (World Cup, 13 June 2026) – El Salvador (N): Drew 0-0 (Friendly, 6 June 2026) – Republic of Ireland (A): Lost 0-1 (Friendly, 28 May 2026) – Tunisia (H): Lost 0-3 (Arab Cup, 7 December 2025)

Qatar’s form makes for grim reading. Three defeats and two draws across their last five games, with just one goal scored and ten conceded, paints a picture of a side struggling badly against higher-quality opposition. The 0-6 capitulation to Canada is the headline figure, but the underlying concern is a team that has scored in only one of its last five matches. Lopetegui has work to do to find any kind of attacking momentum before kick-off in Seattle.

These two sides have met only twice in their history, both in friendly fixtures that offer limited predictive value. Bosnia and Herzegovina drew 1-1 with Qatar on 10 August 2010, while Qatar won the earlier meeting 2-0 on 24 January 2000. This World Cup fixture is their first competitive encounter, meaning there is no meaningful head-to-head form to dissect. What matters here is current condition and tournament context rather than historical precedent between these two nations.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have no officially confirmed fresh injury concerns entering this fixture. Edin Dzeko, their captain and all-time leading scorer with 73 international goals in 148 caps, remains the focal point of Barbarez’s attack despite his age. He scored six goals during qualifying and his experience at this level is irreplaceable. Ermedin Demirovic of VfB Stuttgart provides pace and energy alongside him, and the wide players Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kerim Alajbegovic will be tasked with delivering the crosses that feed Dzeko’s strengths.

At the back, Sead Kolasinac brings veteran stability at left back from his club base at Atalanta, while Amar Dedic at Benfica and Tarik Muharemovic add quality in the defensive unit. Nikola Vasilj of FC St. Pauli is expected to retain the goalkeeping jersey. The squad has genuine European-league pedigree throughout and, on paper, represents significantly more firepower and defensive organisation than Qatar can muster.

Qatar name a squad drawn almost entirely from their domestic Qatar Stars League, with Al-Duhail (6 players), Al-Sadd (5) and Al-Rayyan (4) contributing the majority of the group. Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham of Al-Sadd is the expected starter between the sticks, with Pedro Miguel and Boualem Khoukhi providing experienced cover in the defensive line. The attacking threat rests primarily on Akram Afif (125 caps, 39 goals) and Almoez Ali (115 caps, 55 goals), who between them carry the burden of Qatar’s forward play.

Julen Lopetegui, the former Spain and Real Madrid boss, will need to reorganise after the Canada debacle. Hassan Al-Haydos, their most capped player at 186 appearances, remains available and brings leadership, but at 35 his best days are behind him. Qatar’s lack of goals at this tournament, having scored just once in two games, is a significant concern heading into a fixture where they must win.

Vasilj; Dedic, Muharemovic, Hadzikadunic, Kolasinac (c); Gigovic, Tahirovic, Hadziahmetovic, Bajraktarevic; Demirovic, Dzeko

Predicted XI – squad to be confirmed.

Barsham; Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi, Jassem Gaber, Homam Ahmed; Assim Madibo, Boudiaf, Abdulaziz Hatem; Afif, Almoez Ali, Al-Haydos (c)

Predicted XI – squad to be confirmed.

The critical duel is Akram Afif against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defensive backline. Afif, with 125 caps and 39 international goals, is Qatar’s most potent creative force and the one player capable of unpicking a defence that was cut open four times by Switzerland. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s wide defenders Amar Dedic and Sead Kolasinac were exposed on the counter in that game, and Afif’s pace and directness in one-on-one situations represents exactly the kind of threat to exploit those channels. However, Lopetegui’s side have managed just two goals across their qualifying campaign’s less competitive fixtures and scored only once in two World Cup matches. If Bosnia and Herzegovina can restrict Afif’s space through disciplined midfield shape, they hold a clear advantage.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina are the stronger side on every measurable metric entering this fixture. They hold a superior goal difference, have scored more goals in the tournament, and face a Qatar side that has been dismantled 6-0 in their most recent outing. The Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar prediction is straightforward: Barbarez’s side should have enough to claim all three points and keep their qualification hopes alive. The 4/9 price is short, but it is fair given the context.

Both teams need to attack in this fixture, with Qatar requiring a win and Bosnia and Herzegovina hunting a convincing scoreline to boost their goal difference. Qatar have conceded seven goals in two games at this World Cup, while Bosnia and Herzegovina shipped four against Switzerland. The total goals line sits at 3, with over available at evens, and a high-scoring game looks the most likely outcome given the attacking intent both sides will carry into Seattle. This is arguably the best value among the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar betting tips on offer.

Dzeko scored eight goals in recent appearances before this tournament and notched six in qualifying. At 40 he remains the focal point of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s attack, and against a Qatar defence that has conceded at a rate of 3.5 goals per game in this World Cup, he represents the standout option in any Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar bet builder or accumulator selection. Anytime scorer odds should be available at most leading operators.

For those looking at a Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar acca or combination pick, a Bosnia and Herzegovina win combined with over 2.5 goals in the match offers the most rounded read of how this game is likely to unfold. Qatar’s defensive record at this tournament is alarming, Bosnia and Herzegovina have the attacking personnel to capitalise, and both sides’ need to score makes a tight, low-scoring affair the least likely outcome.

Here is a summary of the best available Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar odds on the main match outcomes:

Prices sourced from leading operators and correct at time of writing. Always check for the best available price before placing.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar is live in the UK on ITV and free to stream via ITVX. Kick-off is at 19:00 BST on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, from Lumen Field in Seattle. If you are searching for where to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar, ITVX is your best option for free, no-subscription coverage.

New to betting on this World Cup fixture? Here is a straightforward guide to getting your Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar picks on:

1. Choose a licensed, regulated operator available in your jurisdiction.
2. Register for an account, providing the required identification details.
3. Deposit funds using your preferred payment method.
4. Navigate to the football or World Cup 2026 section of the sportsbook.
5. Search for Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar in Group B fixtures.
6. Select your preferred market, whether that is the match result, over/under goals, or a bet builder.
7. Enter your stake and review your potential returns before confirming.
8. Submit your bet and check the Terms and Conditions for any applicable promotions.

Betting should always be enjoyable and kept within your means. If you feel that gambling is affecting your finances, relationships or wellbeing, please seek support. The BeGambleAware website offers free, confidential advice and tools to help you stay in control. Set deposit limits, take time-outs, and never chase losses.

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PHILADELPHIA — On the longest day of the calendar year, the Phillies turned out the lights early on Freddy Peralta.

Peralta's first trip to Philadelphia as a member of the Mets turned out to be a nightmare as the right-hander allowed 10 earned runs on 10 hits and one walk across 2⅔ innings.

It snowballed into one of the worst showings of the Mets this season as they dropped a lopsided 15-3 result to the Phillies in front of 43,402 fans on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park.

"He got behind hitters. He had a hard time executing and every time he came in the zone, they got him," Carlos Mendoza said. "There was a lot of hard contact there, but especially when you're getting behind against a lineup like that, you're gonna see games like this. I think it's just more him getting ahead, trusting all of his pitches and competing in the strike zone."

With another disastrous outing from a starting pitcher, the Mets let an opportunity to gather some momentum slip away. After back-to-back wins, the defeat slunk the Mets back to 34-42 on the season. They have not won three games in a row since May 27-31 and are now 8-9 in the month of June.

"I think that I have to make better pitches and just be more in the zone and probably execute better," Peralta said. "I haven't seen much about today, but I think that some crazy situations, but I cannot control some things that happened today but I also need to be better."

The Mets' misery provided the Phillies fans plenty of satisfaction as Bryce Harper polished off the cycle with a two-run triple off Tobias Myers in the fifth inning. Harper homered off Peralta for the opening run of the game and added a double off the Mets starter in the third inning before he added a single off Cionel Perez in the same frame.

Kyle Schwarber hit two home runs in the third inning, with the former - a 456-foot solo shot against Peralta - opening the Phillies' eight-hit, eight run stanza in which they sent up 12 batters in the frame. He added his 27th long ball in the seventh inning.

In the first inning, Peralta fell behind 2-0 to the first three batters before Harper found a fastball near the inner corner that he pulled to right field.

In a 32-pitch second inning, he could not put away J.T. Realmuto, who pulled a 3-2 sweeper down the left-field line. Then, Justin Crawford knocked a high fastball into center field to make it 3-0. In the third inning, another hefty workload and some juicy pitches over the heart of the plate allowed the Phillies to pounce for six of their 10 hits against Peralta.

"I think it's just more getting behind and then he's got to come in and obviously guys know that fastball is his pitch, even though he's been using changeups a lot more against lefties, the sweeper against righties, the curveball," Mendoza said. "At the end of the day, you've got to get ahead and 2-0, 3-1 counts, they're going to be sitting dead read on fastballs."

It seems that every time Peralta turns a corner, he takes a step back. After back-to-back outings with four earned runs to close May, he allowed one earned run across six innings with six strikeouts against the Mariners. But his next outing, he gave up six earned runs to the Cardinals.

Peralta's career-worst 10 earned runs on 10 hits, which matched a career high, came aftr he allowed one run across five innings to the Braves last time out.

"I think I've been a little inconsistent, but I have time to be better," Peralta said.

The Mets badly need Peralta to perform up to his potential, with uncertainty beyond Nolan McLean in the rotation.

Sean Manaea has pitched well in his first two starts, but Kodai Senga gave up four earned runs in the first inning of his return last time out against the Reds. Clay Holmes is still a long way from returning from a fractured tibia.

David Peterson, who will make another start on Sunday, has given up a combined 15 earned runs in 15.2 innings across his last four outings.

"We've been having a little bit of a hard time here trying to get some winning streaks, but they're too good, they're talented," Mendoza said. "We've got to be able to figure this out. We're going to need them and we need them to get going here pretty soon. That's when you start putting together some consistent winning baseball."

The Mets acquired Peralta to lead their rotation after he finished with his third straight 200-strikeout campaign and a 2.70 ERA across 176⅔ innings last season. He's leaning on that track record, which included a 3.59 ERA in eight seasons with the Brewers, to have faith that he will figure it out.

With Saturday's brutal outing, Peralta's ERA bulged from 3.90 to 4.83 and he dropped to 5-6 on the season.

There were potential positions where the Mets could have aided a scuffling Peralta in the game but could not complete the play.

Alec Bohm reached on a single to begin the third inning before Realmuto's double to the left-field corner. Bohm was touching third base as the relay throw reached Zack Short, but the ball popped out of his glove and he could not attempt a throw home.

One inning later after Schwarber homered and Harper doubled, Marcus Semien made a diving stop on a ground ball up the middle but threw it over Mark Vientos' head into the dugout as another run scored..

Two batters later, a deep fly ball from Bryson Stott fell at the base of the left-field wall but Juan Soto could not reach it as the third run of the inning scored.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets' Freddy Peralta disastrous outing underscores Mets weakness

Spanish football is experiencing a day of high emotion, with the offices and the pitch sharing the spotlight.

While the Costa del Sol celebrates a historic return to the top flight after an agonizing journey through the mud, the LaLiga transfer market is entering its hottest phase, with strategic renewals, legendary farewells, and last-minute standoffs between sporting directors. 

Huge celebrations on the Costa del Sol. Málaga CF have sealed their long-awaited return to the top tier of Spanish football on a historic afternoon. Goals from Chupe and Larrubia sent the city into raptures, rendering Leo Baptistao’s strike meaningless. After years of suffering in the mud, the capital of Málaga is back rubbing shoulders with the elite of national football.

Dani Ceballos has already done his part of the deal to wear the green and white again. The midfielder from Utrera has managed to part ways with his club and become a free agent, fulfilling the essential condition demanded by the Betis board to avoid paying a transfer fee. Now the ball is in Real Betis’ court, and they must present him with a contract offer that matches his status.

Rayo Vallecano bid farewell to one of their great contemporary legends. Óscar 'Chocota' Trejo has officially announced his retirement from professional football. However, the love affair between the Argentine and the Madrid club is not over; the former player has confirmed that he is in talks with the Vallecas board to remain linked to the club’s structure.

Athletic Club have secured the future of their new gem. Tall midfielder Rego has renewed his contract with the Lions until 2030 after an outstanding debut season. With 41 appearances under his belt, including eight starts in the Champions League, the academy graduate did not hide his happiness, summing it up with a blunt phrase: "Dreams come true."

A dramatic twist in the future of Calatrava, Castellón’s jewel. Although Espanyol already had a verbal agreement with the player, Monchi’s entry into the operation threatens to change his destination. The renowned sporting director is looking for creative formulas to convince Castellón, including player exchanges to lower the cost of the deal.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.