The hopes of a nation will go on the line in Nelspruit on Monday morning - those of Italy.
As for New Zealand, it is more a case of dreams, because no matter what the surge in football devotion in a rugby mad country, this is a contest where World Cup holder Italy will be overwhelming favourite to win.
Football being the game it is - the powerful Spaniards have already been tipped over by unfancied Switzerland - just about anything is possible, however.
But New Zealand beating Italy? And then maybe progressing to the knockout stage? Come on?
This has been a Jekyll and Hyde tournament so far, with flashes of brilliant power, from the Germans, some spectacular moments including from the Argentinian genius Lionel Messi, but also a lack of goals and drab matches.
Italy hardly shone in its draw against Paraguay, with a lack of thrust up front.
It is missing its finest player, the midfielder Andrea Pirlo, and now with its great goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also down and probably out.
It is a class above the All Whites man for man, so the business of finding hope is a treacherous one.
What the All Whites do have in their favour is a settled shape and way of playing the game, and a certain confidence that has increased after the fightback against Slovakia.
Midfielder Simon Elliott in particular has pointed to a team X-factor, which he says is partially explained by the number of professionals in the squad.
They are almost certain to field the same starting XI that took the field in Rustenburg. Midfielder Tim Brown remains an unlikely proposition although no-one in high places will actually state that.
Brown, with a recently repaired shoulder, looked a little uncomfortable when he went down while making a solid tackle during training on Thursday. His fitness must also be in doubt, especially at altitude.
Italy's inability to create decent chances against Paraguay will also encourage the All Whites. Italy relied on a goalkeeping howler for its goal, and was forced to shoot from distance.
It also had to return to altitude after playing the first match in Cape Town.
Deciphering the Italians' intentions is a mysterious business.
There is talk of it using a number of formations - it started with 4-3-3 against Paraguay then switched to 4-4-2.
According to its journalists, the Italians have definitely been put on the alert by New Zealand's draw with Slovakia.
Italy's interest in New Zealand may have suddenly risen, but of their large press contingent, only one agency journalist and one TV outfit attended the All Whites' open training session on another sunny but cold day at Daveyton.
"The draw with Slovakia changed Italy's perspective,"said the agency writer Leonardo Nesti.
"New Zealand can make danger for Italy with the free kicks and headers. They have a lot of tall players."
Italian fans would be outraged should their team fail to win, and there is the secondary matter of building a healthy goal difference should it be needed to top the group, and avoid a meeting with Group E favourite Holland. So Italy has every reason to put the foot on the throttle.
If Buffon's back injury forces him out, Federico Marchetti will start.
The defenders worked well against Paraguay, but the loss of Buffon could be significant, if not against New Zealand, then for the overall defence of the title.
There were also questions around the form of Italy's veteran central defender Fabio Cannavaro, the captain. Cannavaro had a decent opening Cup match although he was beaten in the air for Paraguay's goal, the route New Zealand favours to create chances.
The head says New Zealand will struggle and be frustrated out of the game by Italy's ability to control possession.
The heart says there is a glimmer of hope, although who would dare mention the word draw when the world champion, one of the great World Cup sides, is the opponent.
