A Bad Day For Europe: New Zealand Surprises Italy, World With 1-1 Draw

A seventh minute goal from Shane Smeltz has ignited New Zealand’s match with Italy, the defending champions pulling back the goal in the 29th minute to send the defending champions and Kiwis into halftime tied at one.

Smeltz’s goal came off a set-piece that dropped behind the defense to the New Zealand attacker, who poked this shot past Frederico Marchetti for the opening goal. It was New Zealand’s only shot of the half.

Vincenzo Iaquinta calmly buried a 29th minute penalty kick, awarded after defender Tommy Smith pulled down Daniele de Rossi in the six yard box, pulling Italy even with the All Whites, 1-1.

The penalty was called when Smith pulled de Rossi to the ground, the midfielder going far post for a cross. Smith’s left hand had a fist-full of jersey, earning him a yellow card when the Italian went to ground.

New Zealand has gone ahead of the world champions, the first time in their World Cup history that they’ve been ahead in a match.

New Zealand’s only other World Cup appearance was in 1982, when they eliminated after three matches. A 93rd minute goal against Slovakia gave New Zealand a draw to open this competition, but it was only after Shane Smeltz flicked home a seventh minut dead ball play against Italy that the Kiwis were ahead for the first time in their World Cup history.

Italy could always wake-up, inherit from their legacy and raise their performance, but now a couple years into a post-2006 lull, that potential may no longer exist. Italy may be beguilingly close to New Zealand as it concerns the final product.

It’s unclear how Marcello Lippi addresses these issues. His roster is limited, and its talents lack diversity as it concerns what players can do.