Saturday, July 8 2006 15:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Berlin: It was just 1-0. But it was a victory - steering Brazil toward a record sixth World Cup title.

"I think the result was exceptional," Brazil manager Carlos Alberto Parreira said.

"The team's performance, evidently, needs to improve and it will improve in the next matches," he said.

Brazil won with a goal by Kaka in the 44th minute, but the defending champion was constantly challenged and just barely avoided allowing an equaliser.

"This match was fundamental for us," Parreira said.

"In World Cups it's fundamental to win the first match," he said.

The three points put Brazil in good position to reach the next round. A win Sunday against Australia in Munich will be enough for the Brazilians to advance.

Brazil dominated early and created several scoring opportunities, but Croatia slowly evened the match.

"We played maybe the most difficult team in this they are very experienced and defend really well," Parreira said.

The Brazilian manager added he expects Brazil to gradually improve during the competition.

"We are at 60, 70 per cent,'' he said.

"Within what was expected," he said.

Midfielder Kaka, chosen the man of the match, agreed.

"There's still a lot to improve," he said.

"We needed a little more movement, creativity, but I think considering it was the opener it was a good match," Kaka said.

Kaka converted his chance with a well-placed left-footer from about 20 metres.

Ronaldo's performance wasn't nearly as impressive as Kaka's.

He had few scoring opportunities and barely touched the ball, eventually replaced by Robinho in the 69th minute.

"Ronaldo hadn't been playing for two months it's natural, in a hot day like today, that he felt the lack ofrhythm," Parreira said.

"Certainly, from now on he will get inform little by little," he said.

Ronaldo is only three goals shy of becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer. The Real Madrid striker is level with Pele with 12 goals, one behind Just Fontaine of France and two adrift of Gerd Muller of Germany.

"He's a great goalscorer and I'm looking forward to him breaking Muller's record," Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar said.

"I think he's had problems with his injuries and everyone has to respect him," he said.