In a result that would have shocked the sporting world, the All Whites led world champions Italy on three separate occasions this morning before eventually going down 4-3 in a friendly in Pretoria, South Africa.

New Zealand lead 2-1 at halftime and then 3-2 with less than 30 minutes to play but faded in the final stages of the match as Italy closed out the win.

New Zealand opened the scoring through former Wellington Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz in just the 13th minute when he scored off an early All Whites corner. Smeltz had a second chance to score minutes later but just missed wide.

Italy then hit back thanks to Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino with a header in the 33rd minute.

New Zealand took the lead once again when Chris Killen scored from a header with four minutes left in the half, giving the All Whites a shock 2-1 halftime lead.

Gilardino tied the match up for a second time, three minutes into the second half, once again scoring from a header.

The All Whites took the lead for a third time in the 57th minute when Killen scored from the penalty spot.

Italy then brought big names Gianluca Zambrotta, Mauro Camoranesi and Luca Toni off the bench but it was another substitute Vicenzo Iaquinta who tied the game at 3-3 in the 68th minute.

The world champions went ahead for the first time in the match five minutes later when Iaquinta added a second.

It was the first time New Zealand and Italy have met.

The match is a final warm up before the Confederations Cup which starts for New Zealand on Monday morning against European Champions Spain.