In one of the shocks of the World Cup to date, Italy have failed to beat New Zealand in Nelspruit on Sunday, a result that puts the champions progression in doubt.
An early Shane Smeltz goal was cancelled out by a Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty after 30 minutes but despite chances for both teams, the Group F game ended 1-1.
It leaves both sides with identical records heading into the final game, as Paraguay sit two points clear at the top of Group F.
The All White goal came via a Simon Elliott free-kick that looked to have flicked off Winston Reid with Smeltz in an offside position. The ball then hit the slow-to-react Fabio Cannavaro and Smeltz poked it past Federico Marchetti on seven minutes.
After some physical play by the New Zealanders, and a Ricardo Montolivo shot hitting the post, Tommy Smith was judged to have pulled Daniele De Rossi’s shirt in the box and referee Carlos Batres of Guatemala awarded the spot kick.
Iaquinta tucked it home but the expected flood of Italian goals never came. Led by Ryan Nelsen, and helped by ‘keeper Mark Paston, the New Zealand team defended superbly.
Marcello Lippi brought on Antonio Di Natale for the ineffective Alberto Gilardino and Mauro Camoranesi replaced Simone Pepe but it made little tangible difference to the game.
Italy huffed and puffed but could not produce enough guile to get past a resolute defence and the best chance of the second half fell to the All Whites' Chris Wood as he broke away from Fabio Cannavaro and shot just wide with five to go.
Just before the final whistle Camoranesi forced another good save from Paston and Nelsen then made a brave block on a goal-bound effort by Gianluca Zambrotta, both snapshots of the entire game.
It leaves the Azzurri in a perilous position, while New Zealand can dream of an unthinkable chance of progression.