Ronaldo scored the historic goal with a spectacular solo effort in the fifth minute, racing past Ghana's defence for a pass from Kaka that set him up alone against Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

The 29-year-old Real Madrid forward faked right then used his trademark stepover move to switch left, leaving the goalkeeper sprawled behind him as he flicked the ball into the net ahead of defender John Pantsil.

"I'm very happy with the result, and with breaking the record -- but we win as a team. I get goals and on we go," Ronaldo said.

Adriano scored in first-half injury time and Ze Roberto added another in the 84th minute of the second-round match as Brazil advanced to face either Spain or France on Saturday at Frankfurt.

Ronaldo moved past Germany's Gerd Muller, who had a total of 14 in the 1970 and 1974 Cups. He scored twice in a 4-1 first-round triumph over Japan, four times in the 1998 World Cup and eight more in 2002 to surpass "Der Bomber".

"That record belongs to him. He's on top of every other player in history. His name is right there," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.

"He's a player for the big and great moments. I hope he's getting enough confidence for the quarterfinals. Ronaldo is going to be a big player in this World Cup."

Joyous teammates mobbed Ronaldo in celebration and delighted Brazilian supporters chanted his name in tribute after his 62nd goal in 96 appearances for his homeland.

Parreira, who led the auriverde to the 1994 title, said Brazil had to expect the road to further glory to get even more gruelling.

"We won the game but the result doesn't show that it was not an easy game at all. The big guys are coming to the quarterfinals. Brazil is one of them.

"Everyone wants to beat the world champions, so it's getter tougher and tougher.

"Today, winning was very important for the emotional side," Parreira said.

"The second round and the quarterfinals are the most difficult rounds of the World Cup. Unless you have nerves of steel, you don't go through."

After Ronaldo's record-breaking effort, the five-time winners took a 2-0 edge in first-half injury time when a cross from Cafu bounced off defender Illiasu Shilla and onto Adriano's thigh before finding its way into the goal.

Brazil captain Cafu, a 36-year-old AC Milan fullback, set a Brazil record with his 19th World Cup appearance and a record for the number of wins at the World Cup finals -- 16 -- as the South Americans stretched their World Cup winning streak to 11 matches.

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic was ejected moments after the second Brazilian goal -- TV replays showed Adriano was clearly offside when the ball was played in by Cafu -- after telling Slovakian referee Michel Lubos "that it would be better for us if you put on a yellow jersey."

Parreira would have none of it, saying, "That's a loser's crying game. Those who lose cry or weep or cringe."

Ghana pressed into attack in the second half, but had no answer for the Brazil defence even before forward Asamoah Gyan's sending-off in the 81st minute after a second yellow card.

Ze Roberto delivered a final dagger to the Cup debutants' dream six minutes from full time, nudging a high ball past Kingson near the edge of the penalty area and speeding past him for a tap-in.

"They are unbeatable and they are untouchable," Dujkovic said. "This is a team to be respected by everybody. If you give them a few seconds, they will finish you like they did with us."

John Mensah's header from point-blank range off a corner kick in the 42nd minute proved Ghana's best chance but the ball bounced off the right leg of Brazil goalkeeper Dida and out of danger.

"That was a very great save, a miracle save," Parreira said.

The Black Stars, who upset second-rated Czech Republic to become the lone African team in the final 16, were without Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, suspended after two first-round yellow cards.

"That was very crucial for us," Dujkovic said.

TEAMS
BRAZIL: Dida; Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos; Emerson (Gilberto Silva 46), Ze Roberto; Kaka (Ricardinho 83), Ronaldinho; Ronaldo, Adriano (Juninho 61).

Yellow card: Adriano (13), Juan (44)

GHANA: Richard Kingson; John Pantsil, John Mensah, Illiasu Shilla, Emmanuel Pappoe; Eric Addo (Derek Boateng 60); Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Haminu Dramani; Asamoah Gyan, Matthew Amoah (Alex Tachie-Mensah 70).

Yellow card: Appiah (7), Muntari (11), Pantsil (29), Addo (38), Gyan (48)

Red card: Gyan (81)

Referee: L Michel (Slovakia)

Attendance: 65,000