After many of the World Cup big guns failed to live up to expectations in their opening games, it was great to see a less fancied side exceed them and play with hunger and desire.

Nobody gave New Zealand a prayer against Slovakia and although they were stirring defeat in the face, the All Whites surpassed the European outfit in terms of passion and thoroughly deserved their late point.

New Zealand’s surprise element may be gone now, but at least Italy and Paraguay know they’ll be in for a game and unless they match the Kiwi spirit, then they could also be hit with a sucker punch.