Town’s Tommy Smith and New Zealand caused the shock of the World Cup so far by drawing 1-1 with holders Italy in Nelspruit.

Shane Smeltz put the Kiwis ahead early on, despite more than a hint of offside, but the Italians hit back from the spot just before the half hour via Vincenzo Iaquinta after Smith, 20, was penalised for a shirt pull on Daniele de Rossi in the box, perhaps harshly given the regular grappling from set pieces throughout the tournament.

Otherwise, Smith, winning his sixth full cap, was hugely impressive alongside his side's outstanding skipper Ryan Nelsen as New Zealand recorded the greatest result in their footballing history.

Paraguay now sit top of Group F on four points after defeating Slovakia 2-0 in the lunchtime game. New Zealand are on two along with Italy, ahead of Slovakia on one.

A victory over Paraguay in their final game on Thursday would take the All Whites into the round of the last 16, while a draw would give them a chance depending on the result of the match between Italy and Slovakia.

If you’re planning on making some World Cup wagers, free bets are available from a number of leading bookies via TWTD’s Betting section on the main menu at the top of the page or here.

Photo: Action Images

APPLE added 17:23 - Jun 20 I thought smith played a blinder today, yeah he gave away the penalty for a stupid tug of the shirt. However after that he really foccused on his game and i even heard the commentator pick him out for such a good performance. Brilliant performance by new zealend and unlucky not to get a winner at the end. Smith for a starting 11 place next season????
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Mungo added 17:26 - Jun 20 Well done Tommy - great performance! That was about as soft a penalty as you are ever likely to concede in your career, given by a highly suspect ref, so don't worry about it!
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Suffolk_n_Good added 17:37 - Jun 20 Well done Tommy, as others have said it was a soft penalty, but you didn't let it affect your game, for me another solid peformance. Congrats NZ.
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WadzillaBhoy added 17:43 - Jun 20 That ref was a pile of sh*t! What a weak penalty, Smith had a great game and is a shoe in to get first team games next season. It was New Zealand 1- Sh*t Ref 1. Seriously its as if they gave a random clown a whistle and said have fun, I bet he doesn't even know what a football is. Booking a player for getting injured? Thats a new one! He wanted Italy to at least get a point. They should only pick refs from respected leagues, who cares if that clown is more lenient to bigger teams in Guadamala but in the World Cup thats just not right. Shirt tugging happens all the time in the box no other ref would've given it. I thought they get told at the start of the tournament how to officiate, compare that penalty to the USA vs Slovenia goal at the end of the game. Not very consistant. Italy were gifted a point and unfortunatly it makes New Zealands task of getting through group stages much harder, even though they deserve to go through. They now need a win against Paraguay.

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Juggsy added 17:47 - Jun 20 The ref booked a player for having cramp - enough said about him really! Well done Tommy, hope this gives you a massive boost for next season.
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WadzillaBhoy added 17:54 - Jun 20 Just checked the fifa website, that refs occupation is a scientist! He should stick to the science because he sucks as an official!
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Crock added 17:55 - Jun 20 Clear penalty. Very stupid of Smith. He played better today than against Slovakia though. I still don't think he will ever be more than a league one player though.
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SurreyITFC added 17:56 - Jun 20 Well Done Tommy! Great game and a great result for New Zealand.
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BOjK added 18:09 - Jun 20 Tommy Smith did well, but unlike some I thought the ref was OK. Was a bit harsh on Wood(s?) towards the end, but kept control well imo.
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Mark added 18:12 - Jun 20 It was nice to hear an Ipswich player called a "different class" by a co-commentator in a World Cup match. When was the last time that happened?! Smith will come back a better player and hopefully he can challenge Delaney and McAuley next season, or at the least provide reliable cover for them. Let's remember he is only 20 and how many 20 year olds have had to defend against the World Champions in a World Cup???

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WadzillaBhoy added 18:16 - Jun 20 Smith also plays as a left back so he might just slot in there.
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bluearmy4life added 18:25 - Jun 20 Well done tommy you did new zealand proud and Ipswich town proud. We are showing we have some great youngsters at the club who have the potential to be world class. Promising signs ahead for are youngsters!
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Keaneish added 18:42 - Jun 20 Mmm...comfortable on the left of a 3 man defence, we're limited for natural full backs, Peters and O'Conner as wing backs? I wonder...
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titanicclown added 19:15 - Jun 20 Well done Tommy, had a good game today. The penalty maybe highlights a weakness against crosses though. Remember Ellington's 94th minute goal for Watford - jump Tommy, jump! Does make you wonder though if Town should play 3 at the back. Could have: Murphy(?) Macaulay Delaney Smith Walters Norris Leadbitter Civelli Garvan Wickham Chopra(?) I realise it's a long shot that RK does a U turn on Garvan but I can only hope. Doesn't look too bad on paper I reckon.

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Fatboy added 19:30 - Jun 20 That penalty was an absolute disgrace. The Italian who threw himself to the floor to win it is a cheat and should be banned. Watch any game of rugby to see what it takes to bring down a real man. Not sure if the NZ goal was offside; to me it looked as if the Italian defender flicked it on, although it was hard to tell from the angle I saw. Presumably the linesman thought the same. That said, a great result for NZ and for Tommy. Looking forward to watching Lineker and Hansen eating their words when they stuff Paraguay to make it into the last 16. Come on you Kiwis!

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Liverpool_blu added 19:35 - Jun 20 Weren't we trying to buy Ryan Nelsen at one point. Would be good for them to pair up as portman road as well as for there national side.
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Blueknight85 added 20:03 - Jun 20 Tommy played great well done to him and yes the penalty was soft... but to be fair New zealands goal was offside so 0-0 then lol
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maimeetang added 20:16 - Jun 20 Great performance from NZ. The back three were all superb. Penalty had to be given I'm afraid, but the Italian did hit the deck like he'd been knee capped. Tommy did well to recover and keep his composure. Great stuff son!!!!! Hope they get to the round of 16 and the Aussies shuffle off home whining. Allez les all whites!!!!
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dannysigma added 21:42 - Jun 20 Well done Tommy - says a lot when a player of ~De Rossi's quality has to resort to gamesmanship to get past you. Look forward to watching you help us into the Premiership next season. You're the real thing!
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WickedBlue added 22:05 - Jun 20 Rock On Tommy!.....Well done to you and NZ showed the England what it's like to play with some passion. @Crock where you born an a$$hole or did you have to work at it?
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WadzillaBhoy added 22:36 - Jun 20 BBC news dubbed it a controversial pen. I agree with Keaneish that defence would be quality: - ............Murphy........... ......Mac ...DD... Smith...... Peters....................O'Connor
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blue_floyd added 22:44 - Jun 20 Great performance from Smith and the whole New Zealand team. Now there's a team that is full of pride and passion, where pulling on the shirt of their country is an honour. The England players could learn a lot from them.
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Ryorry added 22:57 - Jun 20 Tommy having better World Cup than Keano did eh? ;-) Playing alongside his rock of a skipper has obviously benefited him considerably. Just the kind of replacement defender we've been looking for - only saw 2nd half today, but looked solid. If he's fit, give him some starts Keano; pref including 'Boro away, where I'm hoping to be. As for the French - including the ref, the players, the manager and their federation - quelle horreur! embarrassing! manage to make our FA look intelligent and competent, no mean achievement ...

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brockleyblueboy added 03:45 - Jun 21 Great performance tommy, really coming into your onw and you like you are relishing the experience and playing liek you are having fun (Like the game should be played) I can see some clubs coming in for him though, so in that case, You were terrible, best stay at town for the foreseeable future ;-)
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generalpublic added 04:27 - Jun 21 good result for NZ but if you pull a shirt in the box its a penalty and if you dive to simulate a foul its a bookable offense .so penalty for ITALY and booking for diver and shirt puller should be the proper result .this shirt tugging is a blight on football i reckon they should play with paper shirts or spray on team colours
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