Roberto Donadoni's side were on the back foot for much of the encounter but Di Natale's double moved Italy into second place, above France, in Group B.

Andriy Shevchenko was arguably the game's outstanding player, leading the home side forward and scoring an equaliser in the 71st minute, but for all his enterprise, his goal was not enough to earn at least a point which Ukraine certainly merited.

Shevchenko set the tone early on, firing his 25-yard free-kick against the crossbar with Gianluigi Buffon beaten.

The Chelsea striker continued to pose a threat, particularly from set-pieces. He forced Buffon into action in the 23rd minute from even further out as Ukraine went close to an opening goal.

In typical fashion, however, Italy took the lead with their first chance five minutes before the break.

Andrea Pirlo lifted the ball up for Di Natale, who nodded in from close range.

The Udinese striker had the next chance for Italy with his former club team-mate Vincenzo Iaquinta leading a three-against-one attack for the Azzurri, but Di Natale's header was too weak and Olexandr Shovkovskiy made an easy save.

Shevchenko had not wasted all of his energy in the first half and he continued to lead the home nation's charge for an equaliser.

His commitment allowed him to charge down Andrea Barzagli's clearance and be faced with only Buffon to beat, but he could not guide the ball past the Italy goalkeeper with the outside of his boot.

It was only a matter of time before he did eventually break through, and in the 72nd minute he swivelled to sweep a loose ball past Buffon as the Italy defence failed to clear a corner.

On one of Italy's rare counter-attacks, Di Natale struck the killer blow with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Massimo Ambrosini lifted the ball over the Ukraine defence, leaving Di Natale alone in front of the goalkeeper and he maintained his composure to place the ball calmly into the net.