Nelspruit - New Zealand achieved the greatest result in their footballing history on Sunday holding defending champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup Group F match.

The All Whites - who lost all three of their matches on their previous appearance in 1982 - took a shock lead through Shane Smeltz in the seventh minute only for Vincenzo Iaquinta to level through a penalty later in the first half.

The draw puts both teams on two points with just a match remaining. The Kiwis will play group leaders Paraguay while the Italians play bottom side Slovakia on Thursday.

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