New Zealand hold Italy to shocking draw

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

The All Whites took a shocking lead through Shane Smeltz in the seventh minute only for Vincenzo Laquinta to level through a penalty later in the first half. Riccardo Montolivo hit the post for Italy in the 27th, and Vincenzo Laquinta equalized two minutes later with a penalty.

The draw puts both teams on two points with just a match remaining.

The Kiwis will play group leaders Paraguay while the Italians will play bottom side Slovakia on Thursday.