Nelspruit, South Africa: Four-time champion Italy was on the wrong end of the latest surprising result at this year's World Cup, held to a 1-1 draw on Sunday by New Zealand.
And the one goal the defending champions did score in the Group F match in Nelspruit came from the penalty spot.
In the other group match, Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0 in Bloemfontein. Later on Sunday, five-time champion Brazil was to play Ivory Coast at Soccer City.
New Zealand took the early lead against Italy when Shane Smeltz tapped in a ball that had glanced off defender Fabio Cannavaro. It was New Zealand's only shot on goal the entire match.
Vincenzo Iaquinta equalized in the 29th from the penalty spot after Tommy Smith brought down Daniele De Rossi in the area.
"Once again the opponent scored on their first chance," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "We were able to control the game after that, but this was a match we should have won."
New Zealand is playing at only its second World Cup. The Kiwis lost all three matches in 1982, but have two points from two matches this time — the same as Italy.
Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros each scored for Paraguay, which leads the group with four points after an opening 1-1 with the Italians.
Vera scored the first goal in the 27th minute, taking a pass from Lucas Barrios and slipping it past Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha.
"It was lucky that I could score," said Vera, who was named man of the match. "The first goal came at the best moment in the first half and then we wanted to keep possession of the ball and the second goal made us calm."
Riveros added the second goal in the 86th with a left-footed shot.
In France's camp, chaos erupted again as the players refused to train in protest against Nicolas Anelka's expulsion from the squad.
Anelka directed a a profanity-laced tirade at coach Raymond Domenech, and after refusing to apologize, was booted from the team.
The players said in a statement read by Domenech that the French federation did not try to protect the group.
"As a consequence and to show our opposition to the decision taken by officials of the federation, all the players decided not to take part in today's training session," Domenech read from the statement.
France team director Jean-Louis Valentin resigned amid the trouble.
"It's a scandal for the French, for the young people here. It's a scandal for the federation and the French team," Valentin said. "They don't want to train. It's unacceptable.
"As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted," said Valentin, who walked away from the training field, got into a car and drove off.
Also, the man who allegedly intruded on the England team's dressing room after a World Cup match was released on bail and ordered to appear in a Cape Town court on Monday.
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