Italy outplayed World Cup host Germany 4-1 and five-time champion Brazil warmed up for its defense by beating Russia 1-0 on Wednesday.
Two more former world champions began the buildup to Germany 2006 with losses. France, World Cup winner in 1998, lost 2-1 to visiting Slovakia, while two-time champion Argentina again conceded a last-minute goal, losing 3-2 loss to Croatia.
With Francesco Totti out of action until May with a broken ankle, Italy fielded a three-man front line in Florence and all three scored.
AC Milan's Alberto Gilardino and Fiorentina's Luca Toni tallied in the first seven minutes. After midfielder Daniele De Rossi made it 3-0 before halftime, Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero added a fourth before defender Robert Huth replied for Germany.
Playing in temperatures as low as minus 10?C in Moscow, Ronaldo deflected a shot from Real Madrid teammate Roberto Carlos as the Brazilians overcame the absence of the injured Ronaldinho.
"My hands are frozen, my feet are frozen. I've never played in cold like this," Brazil goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni said in an interview with Brazilian television.
Real Madrid right back Cicinho, starting in place of Cafu, said the cold made Brazil almost unrecognizable.
"You can't judge anything by this game," he told Pele's Web site. "You try to run and you feel the cold. You try to talk to teammate, but your mouth freezes. It was very difficult."
France fell behind at home to Slovakia when Szilard Nemeth gave the visitor the lead.
"It's ironic that we played one of our best attacking games for a long time, and we end up losing the match," said Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who entered as a second-half substitute.
England waited again until late to score another come-from-behind victory over South American opposition, beating non-qualifier Uruguay 2-1 at Anfield.
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