If Italy’s opening draw, against Paraguay, had given ammunition to Marcello Lippi’s critics, then this embarrassment of a display was a machine gun aimed at the Italy coach.

Frankly, the world champions were fortunate to escape with a draw since the penalty awarded for the mildest of tugs on Daniele de Rossi’s shirt looked harsh. By then Italy were already a goal down as, having talked about New Zealand’s ability at set pieces, they then proceeded to let them score from one.

Riccardo Montolivo struck the post and forced a wonderful save from Robert Paston but had 18-year-old Chris Wood not shot fractionally wide in the closing moments, the Italians would have lost.