Substitute David Villa scored the winner for the hosts with 13 minutes to go with a wonderful volley, not long after Italy's Mauro Camoranesi had hit the bar.

"We didn't deserve to lose," said Donadoni. "But we accept the result. I am satisfied with my team's performance, with the game and I have no reason to reproach my players.

"Spain's goal was beautiful and they are a team which has potential."

It was Italy's first defeat since August 2007 when they lost 3-1 to Hungary in a friendly.

Spain coach Luis Aragones praised his side, who dominated possession and controlled the game for long spells.

"Italy are a top side," said Aragones. "They play the best defensive football in the world. The only way we could beat them was to control possession and that is what we did."

Goalscorer Villa believes the triumph will be a big morale boost for a Spain side which has underachieved in recent tournaments.

"We have beaten a very strong national team," he said. "This is important.

"In the last year-and-a-half we have been doing things really well and I hope this summer's European Championship will be ours."