The knowledge that they have so much more to offer should make sure those who say 'they're beatable' don't get too ambitious.
And Dado Prso and Croatia are also due a big vote of thanks for their efforts. They can be proud of their contribution to a game which was more intriguing than exhilerating. Brazil were worthy of their 1-0 win but will surely be a bit more flamboyant against Japan and Australia and, with their most difficult group game behind them, Croatia too will be confident of progressing in the competition.
Knowing we had Brazil to look forward to just about made the earlier drab stuff bearable. South Korea are out to prove that their performance of four years ago (semi-finalists as co-hosts) was no fluke but on the evidence of today they won't be back at the sharp end of the tournament this time around. And France and Switzerland will have to improve a great deal if they are to make any impact.
Tricky Dicky's Koreans had to come from behind to win 2-1 against Togo. Not having expected too much from this game, I was quite happy to spend the early part of the afternoon sorting out the loose ends for next week's wee jaunt across to Germany to bring you LBB's World Cup Diary 'Live!' My big pal The Koelsch informs me Cologne has been turned into a party city but, not being prepared to take his word for it, I'll be checking it out for myself for a couple of days.
The goals were all that saved the game in Frankfurt. Muhamed Kader blasted Togo into the lead with a superb shot but when Jean-Paul Abalo picked up his second yellow card just after the interval they were in trouble. Within seconds of being reduced to ten men, they were pegged back to level terms when Lee Chun So curled in a peach of a free-kick and Korea were soon if front, thanks to a well struck goal from substitute Ahn Jung Hwan, or Me Jam Bo as he might be known next season.
The value of that winning goal because clearer a few hours later when France and Switzerland served up a dour goalless draw. This will undoubtedly be the last big tournament for those veterans of France's 1998 World Cup triumph and their performance at Stuttgart more than hinted that they are over the hill. With three points in the bag, Korea could fancy their chances of giving them another wee shock on Sunday and, although the Caat Man's team weren't too impressive either, they will take great heart from today's results.
Only when former Lyon star Vikash Dhorasoo came on for the latter stages did France look dangerous. He was unlucky to see a shot flash just a foot wide of the post and I wondered about him. He left Lyon for AC Milan two years ago but lost his way at the San Siro and is now with Paris St Germain. Could he be tempted to Ibrox by Paul Le Guen? I'd love to see him in a blue jersey.
Not so very long ago Swiss striker Alexander Frei was reported to have caught Big Eck's eye. Not having followed up on his initial interest, that might just be one deal-or-no-deal the Freckled One got right. A fresh air swing at a free kick flashing across the face of goal, then knocking the rebound straight up in the air, didn't look too clever, nor did Daniel Gygax who, instead of heading into the net from point blank range, allowed a last minute cross to clatter off his cheek and bounce off Fabian Barthez's shins.
And so to the serious business. The beer was chilled and the nibbles were on the table for Brazil v Croatia and I was well hyped up for this one. While I wanted to see Brazil turn on the style, I didn't want Big Dado and his guys to get embarrassed and the early signs were good. While Ronaldinho and Kaka looked like they were in the mood, their opponents were very well organised and were certainly intent on making a match of it.
With Prso playing on the left, he had a couple of runs behind Cafu but, just like it does when he drifts out wide for Rangers, his lack of a left foot was frustrating. Invariably forced to check back on to his right, his effectiveness is blurred. But he regularly gave his defensive colleagues a get-out, he saw plenty of the ball and did much to take the game to Brazil.
Just when I started to think they might get back to the dressing-room still on level terms, Croatia were dealt a savage blow when Kaka clipped one into the roof of the net from 22 yards. He made it look so easy, taking a touch on the ball then passing it over the flailing arms of the goalkeeper.
The game opened up in the second half and nobody can accuse Croatia of going down meekly. Big Dado put in a superb shift and he had me out of my seat when he broke clear to get in a shot, only to see Dida save. The keeper is undoubtedly one of the weak links in the Brazilian side (there are so many!) but he was his team's hero when he saved from Klasnic and again when he blocked a shot from Babic after Dado had caught everyone out with a quick corner kick.
Apart from one shot which was just too high, Ronaldo was posted missing and it was no surprise when he got the hook midway through the second half. Having put so much into chasing the equaliser, Croatia tired towards the end and a second Brazilian goal began to look more likely than a Croatian equaliser. Ronaldinho had a chance to kill it, then Nico Kranjcar got on to a clever cross from Dado and came close with a header but it was always going to be Brazil's night and they held on quite comfortably in the end.
It was hardly the most exciting day of the tournament but you won't hear me complaining. That is the beauty of watching Brazil. Even when they are not firing on all cylinders, they lift a game with their special touches and we surely saw enough in Berlin tonight to suggest they are more than capable of lighting up our TV screens throughout the World Cup.
Now if I could just lay my hands on a ticket when they play Japan in Dortmund next week.
LITTLE BOY BLUE