Seba Fernandez struck the only goal of the game as Uruguay, executing coach Oscar Tabarez's game-plan to perfection, beat Prandelli's side 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

"It's not a fair result," Prandelli said. "We played a great game against a very strong team.

"We tried to recover until the end after conceding an early goal and we created many good goalscoring opportunities.

"The important thing is that we tried to score and we had the chances to do so.

"They played a defensive game and pressed well."

Italy dominated in possession and had numerous strikes on target, but failed to score.

"We cannot forget that we were facing a team that had reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year and won this summer the Copa America.

"Uruguay have extraordinary confidence."

The result, which followed Italy's 2-0 triumph at Poland on Friday, means the Azzurri end the year on a disappointing note.

However, Prandelli preferred to focus on the positives.

"This has been an important year," he said."In 2012 we have to continue to work to become again an important team."

Italy went unbeaten in Euro 2012 qualifying and finished top of their group.