Reid had turned down New Zealand in 2007

Reid, who has a Danish step-father, was in the Denmark under-21 team and national development system and had turned down a chance to play for New Zealand in 2007 before finally accepting Herbert's approach the second time.

Until Reid's late strike Slovakia, making their World Cup debut as an independent nation, had seemed set to top the group ahead of world champions Italy and Paraguay who drew 1-1 in the group opener on Monday.

The goal brought joy to New Zealand fans everywhere as they celebrated their team's achievement after the All Whites had suffered three straight defeats in their only previous World Cup appearance in Spain in 1982.

Image: Winston Reid celebrates his goal