Cote d'Ivoire beat former world champion Italy 1-0 at a rainy Upton Park on Tuesday in a lively friendly from which both teams could take plenty of satisfaction.

The Ivorians scored with a powerful header from Kolo Toure after 55 minutes, but Italy, under new coach Cesare Prandelli for the first time, showed lots of promise as it embarked on a fresh start after its dismal World Cup display.

"We knew it was hard to put a team together in two days (of training)," Prandelli told Rai television. "We've got to work calmly, with enthusiasm and desire.