Brazil moved into first place in South America, qualifying for the 2006 World Cup by beating Ecuador 1-0 on Wednesday night as Ronaldino scored in the 13th minute.
The defending champions are the only nation among the 10 in South American qualifying to start qualifying 2-0.
Ronaldinho, who missed the opener while serving a one-game suspension for a red card against Turkey at the Confederations Cup in June, beat goalkeeper Jose Cevallos with a header off a centering pass from Roberto Carlos.
In other World Cup qualifying matches on Wednesday, Joaquin Botero scored three goals as Bolivia trounced Colombia 4-0 in La Paz.
Botero’s hat trick left Bolivia with three points from two matches and helped the team to recover from its disastrous debut — a 5-0 loss to Uruguay in Montevideo last Sunday.
For the Colombians, it was the second straight defeat after falling 2-1 to Brazil, also on Sunday. They have zero points from two matches.
Captain Julio Cesar Baldivieso opened the way for Bolivia by scoring with a penalty kick in the 12th minute.
Botero got his first in the 28th and then added another in the 49th, netting a cannon from the right. Seven minutes into the second half, Botero headed in the final goal for Bolivia.
Botero was also the man that drew the penalty early in the match.
In Asuncion, Jose Cardozo scored three goals as Paraguay defeated Uruguay 4-1.
Cardozo’s hat trick helped Paraguay clinch its first points of the campaign and rebound from a 4-1 loss to Peru in its opener on Saturday.
Both teams have three points after two games.
Javier Chevanton gave Uruguay the lead in the 23rd minute, scoring on a free kick.
But Cardozo responded three minutes later with a header and added two more in the 57th and 72nd minutes.
Carlos Humberto Paredes also scored for the Paraguayans.
South American qualifying, which started before all other regions, resumes on November 15. — Sapa-AP