Capsules for Sunday's matches at the World Cup (FIFA rankings in parentheses):
___
Slovakia yielded a second-half injury time goal in a 1-1 draw with New Zealand. Paraguay held defending champ Italy to a draw, also a 1-1 game.
Slovakia: Slovakia is playing in its first major tournament since the former Czechoslovakia divided in 1993.
Paraguay: Striker Roque Santa Cruz should be more fit after playing just the final 22 minutes against Italy.
Notable Fact: Paraguay won't be intimidated in this tournament after beating Brazil and Argentina in South American qualifying.
___
The defending champions needed a comeback to draw 1-1 with Paraguay. Slovakia and New Zealand also tied 1-1.
Italy: Standout goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, a hero of the 2006 world championship, is sidelined with a herniated disk. Federico Marchetti will start.
New Zealand: The Kiwis rallied for their draw when Winston Reid scored on a header in injury time, their first point in a World Cup.
Notable Fact: The Kiwis took the lead twice and led at halftime in a friendly a year ago as both teams warmed up for the Confederations Cup. Italy rallied to win 4-2.
___
Brazil struggled to beat North Korea 2-1 in its opener, but can advance with a win against the Ivorians, who drew 0-0 with Portugal.
Brazil: Goalkeeper Julio Cesar and defenders Maicon and Lucio play for Inter Milan, which beat Chelsea and star striker Didier Drogba on the way to the Champions League title.
Ivory Coast: Drogba might start after making a successful return from a broken right arm with a 24-minute substitute appearance against Portugal.
Notable Fact: Brazil has won all five previous World Cup meetings with African teams, but it has never played Ivory Coast.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.