The All Whites have made New Zealand football history by drawing their opening World Cup match 1 - 1 against Slovakia, thanks to a last minute goal by defender Winston Reid.

It is the first time New Zealand has earned a competition point at the tournament.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has hailed the result as one of the best in New Zealand football history.

He said the team threw some really good punches and got what he thinks is an extremely good result.

The score was 0 - 0 at half time but a well timed header by Slovakia's Robert Vittek found the goal just five minutes into the second half.

Despite some strong pressure from Slovakia after the break, the New Zealand defense kept their goal intact.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Denmark based Reid scored the pivotal equaliser.

All four teams in Group F are now on equal points on the table, after Italy and Paraguay drew 1 - 1 on Tuesday morning.

New Zealand's next game is against the defending champions Italy next Monday morning.

In the other game this morning, Portugal got their World Cup finals off to a stuttering start with a goalless draw against a spirited Ivory Coast on Wednesday, a match that saw the return of Didier Drogba only 11 days after breaking his arm.

 
Semi finalists at the 2006 finals, Portugal struggled to make a serious impact and made their job of advancing from a fierce Group G - which includes Brazil and North Korea - no easier in a fluid match that yielded only a handful of goal scoring chances.

Drogba, who was yet to fully recover following surgery, came on as a substitute after 66 minutes to a rapturous reception by the Port Elizabeth crowd.

The draw will boost the confidence of the Ivory Coast, which enjoyed most of the possession and always looked dangerous with smooth passing and plenty of energy going forward.

Games currently in progress between Brazil and North Korea with both teams tied at nil all.