Italy coach Marcello Lippi has praised Ghana’s strong character exhibited in Monday night’s World Cup Group E game.

The Black Stars making their debut at the biggest soccer fiesta lost 2-0 to the Azzurri’s in Hannover.

Goals from Andrea Pirlo and Vincenzo Iaquinta gave Italy a 2-0 victory over Ghana in an entertaining World Cup Group E match on Monday.

Midfielder Pirlo's 40th-minute goal came after Ghana, looking sharp in their approach play, had wasted two good chances.

Italy rarely looked in danger after the break and substitute Iaquinta, who had been off the field receiving attention on an injury a few minutes earlier, secured victory in the 83rd.

The striker raced clean through after picking up a poor back pass from Samuel Kuffour and rounded goalkeeper Richard Kingston before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Lippi believes the Black Stars were a better side in certain aspects of the game though he savours their victory.

"Our opponents showed themselves to be as strong as we thought they would be," Italy coach Marcello Lippi told reporters.

"In certain aspects they were better than us.

"But I think overall we deserved to win. From a psychological point of view the first match is always difficult to win and I thought the lads did really well to close it out."