Champion Italy held to draw 1-1 against New Zealand World Cup

New Zealand achieved their greatest footballing result with a stunning 1-1 defending champions Italy draw couldn’t be more opposite tie on Sunday World Cup Group F match in South Africa 2010.

Defending champion Italy had to rally to get the draw in the latest World Cup stunner. With two successive ties, the 78th-ranked All Whites are in position to advance to the second round if they can beat Paraguay on Thursday. The Italians also would move on from Group F if they beat Slovakia.

New Zealand took the lead after only seven minutes when Italy’s 36 year-old captain Fabio Cannavaro made a horrendous error, handing a goal to Shane Smeltz. A long free kick from Simon Elliott sailed deep into Italy’s area, off Cannavaro’s hip as he fell and directly toward the waiting Smeltz for the tap-in.

Riccardo Montolivo hit the goalpost for Italy in the 27th, then Iaquinta equalized two minutes later with a penalty kick. Tommy Smith was given a yellow card for tugging down Daniele De Rossi inside the area on a corner kick.

The Italians laid siege to the All Whites' goal for most of the second half but a combination of resolute Kiwi defence, brave goalkeeping by Mark Paston and errant passes condemned the reigning champions to their second consecutive draw of the tournament. As much as the four-time champions dominated possession they could not come up with the winner and the Kiwis came close to pulling off an unbelievable victory when substitute Chris Wood fired centimetres wide with seven minutes left.

But the All Whites kept their structure and composure repelling continual waves of Azzurri attacks, with skipper and defensive rock Ryan Nelsen outstanding and Paston pulling off some critical saves. Long after the game ended, New Zealand fans remained inside the stadium, moving down to the lower level to continue celebrating, waving flags and blowing on vuvuzelas as the All Whites reserves played a training match.

Coach Marcello Lippi could make no excuses despite missing his top two players: goalkeeper  Buffon and midfielder Andrea Pirlo  both injured