Defending World Champions Brazil opened their 2006 campaign with a close-fought 1-0 win over Group F rivals Croatia, but the manner of their victory was more functional than fantastic.
Carlos Alberto Parreira's side started with a victory but for a country who are the firm favourites, and have the heavy expectations of a football loving public on their shoulders, it was perhaps not quite the show that had been expected.
Certainly Ronaldo, chasing Gerd Muller's World Cup goalscoring record, will not remember this game fondly after an insipid display, and it was Milan livewire Kaka who made the difference with a glorious curling effort in the first half.
Croatia more than played their part with a number of good chances saved by Dida, but Brazil clearly have a few more gears and the three points still sets them up well for their pursuit of the 'Hexa', their potential sixth triumph at the World Cup.
With all the romanticism and history surrounding Brazil's participation in the finals, the weight of expectancy surrounded every forward foray Parreira's side made, and in the opening ten minutes they enjoyed the lion's share of possession.
Real Madrid full-back Roberto Carlos launched a number of trademark efforts, with the unpredictability of the World Cup match ball clearly playing to his strengths, and the closest effort forced Stipe Pletikosa to tip the ball over after a fierce 30 yard drive.
The Samba stars also received further impetus from the back when a Croatia corner was turned into a rapid breakaway thanks to a quick Dida throw, but Milan team-mate Kaka was unable to keep his shot on target after a neat lay-off from Adriano.
Ronaldinho, the prime conjuror leading Brazil's 'magic quartet', was showing his immeasurable ability in bursts, and a low shot from the Barcelona star following a short corner again called Pletikosa into action as he tipped round the post.
However, despite their initial dominance the Brazilians were unable to dazzle their opponents into submission, and Croatia, third placed finishers in a memorable 1998 campaign, threatened sporadically with both Niko Kranjcar and Ivan Klasnic firing efforts over from just outside the box.
The Croats continued to defend deep in a bid to counter the devastating threat of the South Americans, but with Ronaldinho and Kaka probing they had to resort to fouling as Niko Kovac hauled down the Milan man on the edge of the box.
However, Ronaldinho disappointingly smacked his free-kick against the wall after the Croat had been booked, a moment that encapsulated Brazil's failure to really work Pletikosa in the opening half hour despite their undoubted talent.
Niko Kovac then suffered an early bath, but due to fitness rather than ill-discipline as he was removed after sustaining a rib injury, and Jerko Leko entered the fray.
Brazilian midfielder Emerson looked intent on causing the Croats more harm as he was booked for a reckless tackle on Igor Tudor, and from another foul Kranjcar's side were inches away from taking the lead as the unmarked Tudor just failed to connect to a Dario Srna set-piece at the back post.
However, inevitably it was the South Americans who did take the initiative, and it was the impressive Kaka who did the damage as he picked up the ball from Cafu outside the box after 44 minutes, took two touches and caressed an unstoppable curling left-foot shot past Pletikosa.
Captain Cafu, hoping to feature in his fourth consecutive World Cup final, also had a shot saved by Pletikosa but the first half belonged to Kaka as he made his mark on the tournament with a fantastic strike.
Marko Babic also threatened from a quickly taken corner but drove his shot straight at Dida when well placed in the box, whilst Kaka looked keen for a second as he flashed a shot wide from the right hand side.
The prevailing feeling at half time was that Brazil still had something to prove, with expectations so high this summer, but it was Croatia who were quickest out of the blocks and only a fine save from Dida denied Rangers hit-man Dado Prso as he spun past Juan and drove a stinging low effort towards goal.
The Milan shot stopper also had to be alert again four minutes later when Prso's strike partner Klasnic reacted quickly to a loose ball on the edge of the box and blasted an effort straight down his throat.
Ronaldo began the game two goals short of Muller's all time goalscoring record in World Cup finals, and after a first half in which he cut a lonely and frustrated figure the Real Madrid star finally got a shot away as he drove just over from long range on 56 minutes.
Ronaldinho has firmly supplanted him as the icon of the national side, and the Barca superstar had a fine chance to add to his international collection when he burst into the box to meet a Cafu cross. However his header was too close to Pletikosa and the Croat keeper palmed the ball wide with a fine save.
Brazil needed the comfort zone of a second goal, and to that end the ineffective Ronaldo was replaced by Real team-mate Robinho, but Croatia substitute Ivica Olic sent hearts fluttering in the South Americans' backline when he broke clear on the left. Srna only had to roll the ball home on the far post but Olic inexplicably opted to cut back and the golden chance was gone.
Adriano also wasted a superb opening when, faced with clear daylight between himself and goal after great work from Robinho, the Internazionale striker steered the ball wide.
The Croatian fans were heartened by their side's effort and let off flares in celebration despite the score, and there were nearly more fireworks in the dying minutes when Niko Kranjcar headed over from a Prso cross.
However, Brazil held on to record a win in their opening fixture, a record eighth in a row in World Cup finals, to draw level with Australia at the top of Group F.
Carlos Alberto Parreira's side started with a victory but for a country who are the firm favourites, and have the heavy expectations of a football loving public on their shoulders, it was perhaps not quite the show that had been expected.
Certainly Ronaldo, chasing Gerd Muller's World Cup goalscoring record, will not remember this game fondly after an insipid display, and it was Milan livewire Kaka who made the difference with a glorious curling effort in the first half.
Croatia more than played their part with a number of good chances saved by Dida, but Brazil clearly have a few more gears and the three points still sets them up well for their pursuit of the 'Hexa', their potential sixth triumph at the World Cup.
With all the romanticism and history surrounding Brazil's participation in the finals, the weight of expectancy surrounded every forward foray Parreira's side made, and in the opening ten minutes they enjoyed the lion's share of possession.
Real Madrid full-back Roberto Carlos launched a number of trademark efforts, with the unpredictability of the World Cup match ball clearly playing to his strengths, and the closest effort forced Stipe Pletikosa to tip the ball over after a fierce 30 yard drive.
The Samba stars also received further impetus from the back when a Croatia corner was turned into a rapid breakaway thanks to a quick Dida throw, but Milan team-mate Kaka was unable to keep his shot on target after a neat lay-off from Adriano.
Ronaldinho, the prime conjuror leading Brazil's 'magic quartet', was showing his immeasurable ability in bursts, and a low shot from the Barcelona star following a short corner again called Pletikosa into action as he tipped round the post.
However, despite their initial dominance the Brazilians were unable to dazzle their opponents into submission, and Croatia, third placed finishers in a memorable 1998 campaign, threatened sporadically with both Niko Kranjcar and Ivan Klasnic firing efforts over from just outside the box.
The Croats continued to defend deep in a bid to counter the devastating threat of the South Americans, but with Ronaldinho and Kaka probing they had to resort to fouling as Niko Kovac hauled down the Milan man on the edge of the box.
However, Ronaldinho disappointingly smacked his free-kick against the wall after the Croat had been booked, a moment that encapsulated Brazil's failure to really work Pletikosa in the opening half hour despite their undoubted talent.
Niko Kovac then suffered an early bath, but due to fitness rather than ill-discipline as he was removed after sustaining a rib injury, and Jerko Leko entered the fray.
Brazilian midfielder Emerson looked intent on causing the Croats more harm as he was booked for a reckless tackle on Igor Tudor, and from another foul Kranjcar's side were inches away from taking the lead as the unmarked Tudor just failed to connect to a Dario Srna set-piece at the back post.
However, inevitably it was the South Americans who did take the initiative, and it was the impressive Kaka who did the damage as he picked up the ball from Cafu outside the box after 44 minutes, took two touches and caressed an unstoppable curling left-foot shot past Pletikosa.
Captain Cafu, hoping to feature in his fourth consecutive World Cup final, also had a shot saved by Pletikosa but the first half belonged to Kaka as he made his mark on the tournament with a fantastic strike.
Marko Babic also threatened from a quickly taken corner but drove his shot straight at Dida when well placed in the box, whilst Kaka looked keen for a second as he flashed a shot wide from the right hand side.
The prevailing feeling at half time was that Brazil still had something to prove, with expectations so high this summer, but it was Croatia who were quickest out of the blocks and only a fine save from Dida denied Rangers hit-man Dado Prso as he spun past Juan and drove a stinging low effort towards goal.
The Milan shot stopper also had to be alert again four minutes later when Prso's strike partner Klasnic reacted quickly to a loose ball on the edge of the box and blasted an effort straight down his throat.
Ronaldo began the game two goals short of Muller's all time goalscoring record in World Cup finals, and after a first half in which he cut a lonely and frustrated figure the Real Madrid star finally got a shot away as he drove just over from long range on 56 minutes.
Ronaldinho has firmly supplanted him as the icon of the national side, and the Barca superstar had a fine chance to add to his international collection when he burst into the box to meet a Cafu cross. However his header was too close to Pletikosa and the Croat keeper palmed the ball wide with a fine save.
Brazil needed the comfort zone of a second goal, and to that end the ineffective Ronaldo was replaced by Real team-mate Robinho, but Croatia substitute Ivica Olic sent hearts fluttering in the South Americans' backline when he broke clear on the left. Srna only had to roll the ball home on the far post but Olic inexplicably opted to cut back and the golden chance was gone.
Adriano also wasted a superb opening when, faced with clear daylight between himself and goal after great work from Robinho, the Internazionale striker steered the ball wide.
The Croatian fans were heartened by their side's effort and let off flares in celebration despite the score, and there were nearly more fireworks in the dying minutes when Niko Kranjcar headed over from a Prso cross.
However, Brazil held on to record a win in their opening fixture, a record eighth in a row in World Cup finals, to draw level with Australia at the top of Group F.
