The Italians, who open the Serie A season this weekend, had won their previous five games but seemed out of shape and increasingly tired as the game went on.

"We came up against a team that was fresher than us and more interested in taking control of the game," Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said. "We played well for stretches in the first half, then we lost our focus when it was 1-1."

Antonio Di Natale, a second-half substitute, put the Azzurri ahead in the 49th minute, deflecting a shot from Filippo Inzaghi from about 14 yards.

Hungary tied the score in the 62nd minute after Gianluca Zambrotta failed to clear a ball sent into the middle of the penalty area. Tamas Vasko headed Zambrotta's popup to Roland Juhasz, who beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with a left-footed volley.

Zoltan Gera converted a penalty kick three minutes later after Fabio Cannavaro brought down Tamas Priskin near the back line. Hungary got the final goal in the 76th minute when Zoltan Gera stole the ball from Cannavaro at the top of the penalty area, broke toward Buffon and passed to Robert Feczesin, who converted easily.

"I knew we had a chance if we stuck to our strategy, but this result goes beyond all my expectations," Hungary coach Peter Varhidi said.

Both teams were preparing for Euro Championship qualifiers on Sept. 8: Italy hosts France in Milan and Hungary plays Bosnia-Herzegovina in Budapest.

"When you lose 3-1 you can't be pleased," Donadoni said. "Our condition will improve though. We've got two rounds (of Serie A) before the France game — two rounds to find the necessary spirit and energy to be ready."