Slovakia's final touch in this World Cup was a positive one as Vittek stroked home a penalty for his fourth and final goal of the tournament after Stekelenburg had tripped the striker.

BBC: Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia

Third-placed Slovakia's hopes of a second successive World Cup appearance were dented by a 1-1 draw with Lithuania.

CNN: Shock draw dents Spain's World Cup qualification hopes

Winston Reid headed a dramatic injury-time equaliser against Slovakia to earn New Zealand their first ever World Cup point.

BBC: New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia

In reaching the last 16 and eliminating Italy via a 3-2 group win over the holders, Slovakia have achieved their goal in their first World Cup since splitting from Czechoslovakia in 1993.

BBC: Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia

Northern Ireland will now focus on their World Cup qualifiers next month against Poland and group leaders Slovakia.

BBC: N Ireland 1-1 Israel

Daniela Hantuchova brought Slovakia level at the end of day one of the Fed Cup final with a comprehensive win over Spain's Magui Serna.

BBC: Daniela Hantuchova

Slovakia were on course for a perfect start in their debut World Cup as an independent nation after Robert Vittek's 50th-minute header.

BBC: New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia

Meanwhile, Russia booked a place in the final of the women's Fed Cup competition after overturning a 2-0 deficit against Slovakia in Moscow on Sunday -- becoming the first team to ever do so.

CNN: No. 1 Djokovic takes Nadal's Monte Carlo crown

The final opportunity fell to Italy as Argentine-born Camoranesi forced another decent stop from Paston - but destiny was on New Zealand's side and, on the balance of chances if not ther amount of possession, they fully deserved to take their World Cup points tally to two following their opening draw with Slovakia.

BBC: Italy 1-1 New Zealand

They play Slovakia, Holland and Slovenia, whilst November is reserved for potential 2010 World Cup play-off matches.

BBC: Blatter plans longer half-times