It was the first World Cup goal for Kaka, voted best midfielder in the Champions League in 2005.

"I think I personally had a good start in the World Cup," said Kaka, who has improved tremendously from the player who was the 23rd man on the roster in 2002. "I scored a goal, participated in several moves."

The Brazilian fans, who had been quiet early compared to the rowdy Croats, erupted with whistles, tooting horns and chants of "Bra-zil! Bra-zil!"

But the Croatians weren't giving in that easily. They led Brazil 1-0 in a friendly in Split, Croatia, last summer before settling for a tie, and they showed no signs of being intimidated when they fell behind Tuesday.

Prso gave them their best chance, taking a hard shot from inside the box that went off Dida's hands. Three minutes later, Ivan Klasnic took a shot from about 15 yards, but it went straight into Dida's hands.

Marko Babic also had a chance, but his shot in the 70th minute found Dida's hands, too, and Kranjcar's follow-up header went wide.

"One shot changed the match," Zlatko Kranjcar said. "We demonstrated some great play, only the result didn't go our way."

Still, the Croatians served notice they're a team to watch.

After two near-misses in the 15th minute, one a Roberto Carlos shot that goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa had to punch over the net, the Croatians settled down and started annoying the Brazilians with their trademark defense. They packed in defensively, refusing to allow many man-to-man chances.

They gave Brazil so much trouble that Parreira was up and pacing by the 28th minute, a rarity. When Kovac was pulled down by Adriano shortly after, he called Adriano and Ze Roberto over for a quick meeting.

But Kovac's departure opened things up for Brazil, and Kaka took quick advantage.

"Things will improve in the next matches," Kaka said. "It's quite normal, a match being like this in the debut."