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 Kaka special sounds Brazil warning
 Kaka gave Brazil the lead just before halftime with a spectacular goal SPECIAL REPORT
• Special: World Cup 2006
BERLIN, Germany -- Kaka struck a spectacular goal just before halftime to grab a 1-0 victory for holders Brazil over dogged Croatia on Tuesday in their World Cup Group F opener. After a frustrating 43 minutes, Kaka hit his 14th international goal, picking the ball up just outside the Croatia area and curling it perfectly into the top left corner at Berlin's Olympiastadion. That was enough to see Brazil become the first team in World Cup history to win eight successive matches in the finals. AC Milan star Kaka's shot gave Croatia's impressive goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa no chance. Pletikosa made two vital saves to keep his side in the game -- first from a blistering long-range Roberto Carlos shot from 25 meters after 15 minutes and then from a point-blank Ronaldinho header in the 62nd minute. That inspired the Croatian forwards to go in search of the equaliser and Dida was kept busy at the other end as Dado Prso, Marko Babic and Jerko Leko kept the Brazilian defense under pressure. That is more than can be said for Ronaldo, who had a poor game in the Brazil attack, recalling his woeful performance in the 1998 World Cup final. It was no surpise when coach Carlos Alberto Parreira replaced him with Robinho after 69 minutes. Parreira paid tribute to Croatia's stubborn performance as the holders got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start. "The challenge is not only the first game," Parreira. "In addition to the fact that the team hasn't played a lot together, we faced an adversary that was good...and marking very well, with energy. "I think the game was balanced, we had more shots on goal (13-9) but we had a certain difficulty imposing our own rhythm." Man of the Match Kaka said: "We were expecting this, (they were) a tough team. We suffered a bit. But I started well, getting a goal. I think it was an important victory."  Kaka turns to celebrate what turned out to be the winning goal for Brazil Brazil captain Cafu added: "Without any doubt, the important thing is start on the right foot. "I told the team before the game we had to go up seven steps, we went up one and now we have six to go," he said referring to the matches a team has to play to win the Cup. "In each game we will try to improve." A delighted Parreira agreed with his right back, telling reporters: "The result was exceptional, excellent. The performance could be better but it will improve in the next game. For us today it was so important to start with a win." Brazil failed to reach their exalted heights of magical football but they showed their usual touches of brilliance in flashes -- and defended well and in depth when they had to. Brazil won all seven matches in 2002 to win the World Cup for a fifth time -- and this victory extended that run with Australia next in the firing line in Munich on Sunday. 
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