Brazil were made to sweat by Colombia before winning 2-1 on Sunday as the five-time winners began their quest to qualify for the 2006 finals in Germany.
Ronaldo gave Brazil the lead in the 22nd minute, but Juan Pablo Angel equalised before half-time.
The match played in stifling heat was decided by AC Milan's 21-year-old striker Kaka who fired in a shot from outside the penalty area after 61 minutes shortly after coming on to the field as a substitute.
Colombia coach Francisco Maturana said the close scoreline disguised the gulf in class between the two sides.
"We were playing a far superior team. Once we lost the ball we had a lot of problems winning it back," he said.
RSS