June 21, 2010 9:06 AM

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Brazil enters into last 16; New Zealand hold Italy 1-1 draw, Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0

In the FIFA World Cup on Sunday, Brazil qualified for the last 16, with a 3-1 win against Ivory Coast. In other matches, rank outsiders New Zealand held defending champions Italy to a remarkable one-one draw and Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0 to top Group F. At Soccer City in Johannesburg, Brazil showed their true World Cup colours and outclassed Ivory Coast in Group G. Their first three shots on target produced three goals. The first two came from Luis Fabiano in the 25th and 50th minutes. Elano accounted for the third after 62 minutes. The lone goal for Ivory Coast came in the 79th minute through their skipper Didier Drogba. Brazil secured their place in the last 16 no matter what happens in Monday's clash between Portugal and North Korea in Cape Town. Brazil face Portugal in their final group match on Friday in Durban, while the Ivory Coast meet North Korea in Nelspruit at the same time. In the Group F match at Nelspruit, New Zealand produced one of the great shocks of the World Cup by holding Italy to a 1-1 draw. The result has left the reigning champions with a fight on their hands to make it through to the knock-out stage. New Zealand took a shock lead in the seventh minute through Shane Smeltz and came close to scoring the winner after Vincenzo Iaquinta had equalised for the Azzurris via a spot kick in the 29th minute. Both Italy and New Zealand have two points from their opening two matches. Both the teams have a chance of making it to the round of sixteen, if they win their final group match. While Italy will be facing Slovakia, New Zealand will be meeting Paraguay. Earlier on Sunday, in another Group F fixture at Bloemfontein, Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0 to move to top of the Group. They have four points, while Slovakia have one. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, three matches are scheduled for Monday. In Group G, Portugal meet North Korea in Cape Town at 1700 hours. The other two encounters are in Group H. Chile take on Switzerland in Port Elizabaeth at 1930 hours and Spain face Honduras in Johannesburg at Midnight.

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