World champions Italy beaten 3-1 by Hungary in friendly

BUDAPEST, Aug 23 (Reuters) World champions Italy produced a lacklustre performance and slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Hungary in an international friendly.

Italian coach Roberto Donadoni can expect a rough ride when he returns home after his side failed to win their final match before facing World Cup finalists France in a Euro 2008 qualifier on Sept 8.

After an eventful but scoreless first half, Italy took the lead in the 49th minute with an Antonio Di Natale goal.

The Udinese striker, who came on as substitute after the break, poked in to a lose ball that rolled into the left corner under Leicester City keeper Marton Fulop.

The Italians then lost their rhythm.

In the 62nd minute, defender Roland Juhasz equalised with a blast from 14 meters that thundered into the top left corner with Gianluigi Buffon stranded.

Four minutes later Fabio Cannavaro felled forward Tamas Priskin and Zoltan Gera coolly sent Buffon the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Backed by a 40,000 strong crowd, Robert Feczesin tapped into the open net from six meters to complete the scoreline, yesterday.

Reuters BJR DS1616