BERLIN - Brazil labored to another unconvincing victory at the World Cup on Sunday, qualifying for the second round by beating Australia 2-0 and substituting an ineffective Ronaldo for the second game in a row.

The dismal run of 1998 World Cup winner France continued in Leipzig with a 1-1 draw against South Korea. The specter of elimination from the tournament in the first round for the second straight time looms for France while a delighted South Korea leads Group G.

Japan and Croatia played out a turgid 0-0 draw in Group F in Nuremberg, a result that did little to help either team's cause. Those two teams and Australia are now scrapping for the second qualification place.

In Munich, Brazil led 1-0 for most of the match until the 89th minute, when substitute Fred tapped in a rebound a minute after coming on. Adriano scored the first goal in the 49th minute with a left-footer from the edge of the penalty area, striking a low shot past Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Australia had their chances, too. Mark Viduka's lob landed on top of the net and Harry Kewell shot over from long range.

The victory was Brazil's ninth consecutive at the World Cup and the five-time champions haven't been eliminated in the first stage since 1966.

Ronaldo, who improved slightly from his dismal performance in the opener, set up Adriano for his goal.

Brazil's "magic quartet" of attackers had another subpar performance on Sunday, failing to spark Brazil's attack after an even less impressive performance in the 1-0 win over Croatia.

"We are in the round of 16," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "The importance of this match was to guarantee our participation in the (next round). The team improved compared to the other match."

In Leipzig, Park Ji-sung scored the equalizing goal in the 81st minute to grab a crucial point for South Korea after Thierry Henry had given France the lead in the ninth.

Park poked the ball over France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and out of the reach of defender William Gallas, who tried to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line.

France captain Zinedine Zidane, who has said he will retire from all soccer after the World Cup, may have played his last match. He picked up his second yellow card of the tournament and will miss the remaining group game against Togo.

In the 32nd minute a header from France's Patrick Vieira appeared to have crossed the goal line before South Korea's goalkeeper caught it. The Mexican referee waved to play on.

Henry profited from a favorable bounce after Sylvain Wiltord's blocked shot fell into his path. He took a stride and coolly slotted past goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae for France's first World Cup goal since it won the 1998 final.

South Korea leads Group G with four points from two matches, with France in second place with two points. Third-place Switzerland has one point and plays Togo on Monday.

Croatia, yet to score at the World Cup, had the best chance when Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto brought down Dado Prso in the area. Darijo Srna's penalty was saved by Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

Both teams had chances to win the match but solid goalkeeping on both sides left the teams with just one point with one match remaining. Japan faces Brazil in its final match while Croatia plays Australia.

Prso was confident Croatia would find its touch when it is most needed ¡ª the must-win match against Australia.