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

kiwiblue added 05:39 - Jun 21 nude soccer theres a novelty generalpubic....... great game old style passion but i thought more skillful nz than against slow vakia and very settled back 3. would work for town with two good wing backs but can the two likely lads peters and o connor be relied on to defend and play it on the ground? not sure because i dont get to see them. certainly would be a long call for civelli and walters to take it on as someone suggested. ricky herbert as assisstant. fee for managing team at the world cup rumoured to be 7500 squidd.........

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:24 - Jun 21 According to a strict interpretation of the rules, I suppose it was a penalty, because there was minor 3 or 4-second shirt pull. If that is the case, however, then we should have had a minimum of 20 penalties per match by now. By the same strict interpretation, de Rossi should have been booked for fallling like a leaf in autumn. The commonsense view is it shouldn't have been given. Our main point of interest in all this is that in Tommy Smith we look to have someone who could become a very good Championship player already this coming season. Well done, Tommy, keep it up. The experience of this World Cup will be invaluable.

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bluepeter added 08:43 - Jun 21 Wadzillabhoy, scientists invent things don't they? He certainly invented that foul! WELL DONE TOMMY
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paulandgem added 08:59 - Jun 21 crock your a prat! Tommy is only 20 and still learning, Def a dive. hope he's in for a good season with us
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bleedblue added 09:57 - Jun 21 On that performance, he should be starting for us next season, such a strange feeling (nice though) to here the BBC commentating on an Ipswich player at the world cup. Keep it up Tommy, your doing us all proud!
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jas0999 added 10:58 - Jun 21 A disappointing penalty decision by the ref. Well done Tonny - great showing. This World Cup will do him nothing but good.
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:05 - Jun 21 well played Tommy, pity the ref decided your indiscretion was the one he'd act on .The shirt tugs go on every time there is a corner,or free kick near the area, i know you could argue that if it wasnt a foul the players would probably end up shirtless after 90 mins,but a penalty can decide a game,as can a sending off, shirt pulling most times go's unnoticed or unpunished, i think it should be penalised by indirect free kick, and yellow.If it were a penalty and spotted/punished as it stands scores would be like cricket scores or games finishing 3 a side.Tommy like [and others ] was just the unlucky one .All that said ,nothing will change,its just my view.

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greenkingtone added 11:39 - Jun 21 Sorry Blueknight85 but the goal was OK. The forward was played on by not one but by two defenders. The officials got that one right, but the pen against Tommy Smith was ridiculous. A slight tug on the shirt and down goes the Italian like he'd been shot by a sniper. Disgraceful piece of refereeing.
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corshamblue added 12:40 - Jun 21 Tommy, Well Done. Again, you need to work on you blocking - turning your back too much at the last moment. The Pen was hash but still a Pen, at level you just can't hang on to shirts of World Class Strikers in the box! That said, a Solid Back 3 and Good Keeper performance. Well Done the Kiwi's. No Doubt that Tommy will come back a better player, but will he be good enough?

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generalpublic added 06:54 - Jun 22 i have done some of my best ballwork in the nude
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