A last-gasp Kaka penalty snatched Brazil a 4-3 victory over a courageous Egypt in an exhilarating Group B opener at Free State Stadium. Dunga’s side carried a two-goal cushion in at the break, but a quick-fire double had the Pharaohs level until the former FIFA World Player’s second goal of the game injury time.

It took Brazil just five minutes to break the deadlock. There appeared to be little danger when Daniel Alves’s dink found Kaka inside a congested penalty area, but the No10 subtly tricked his way past two opponents before casually sliding the ball home.

Egypt responded swiftly, with Mohamed Aboutrika’s right-wing cross being headed in by Mohamed Zidan, but they fell behind again on 12 minutes, when Luis Fabiano’s head guided an Elano free-kick into the bottom corner of the net.

Elano and Juan both came close to doubling A Seleção’s lead, before the latter did just that by heading home the former’s corner in the 37th minute.

Egypt refused to submit to their more illustrious opponents, though, and scored twice in two minutes to restore parity, Mohamed Shawky’s firm, low drive from the edge of the box preceding a 55th-minute strike from Zidan.

Both sides then had their chances, but the game appeared destined for a 3-3 draw. That was until goal-bound Lucio effort was handled on the line by Ahmed Al Muhamadi. The Egypitan defender was sent off, and Kaka coolly passed the ball into the bottom corner of Essam El Hadary’s net to ensure Dunga’s side made a wininng start to the defence of their crown.