[Oliver_Kahn]

Germany open with eleven-goal show

Germany got their FIFA Women's World Cup defence off to a stunning start with a competition record 11-0 win against Argentina.

Flying start
The European champions picked up their first global crown in the United States four years ago and are aiming for a repeat in China. Their opener in Shangahi was only 12 minutes old when Melanie Behringer's corner from the left was punched into her own net by Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa. Five minutes later Kerstin Stegemann's free-kick was volleyed in by Kerstin Garefrekes and Melanie Behringer made it 3-0 from a tight angle. Just before the half-hour captain Birgit Prinz headed in a Garefrekes cross and the three-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year further increased the lead just before the break after being set up by Simone Laudehr.

Record secure
Only six minutes into the second half, Renate Lingor got on the scoresheet from long range and her free-kick was turned in by Sandra Smisek for the seventh goal. Prinz's hat-trick was complete in the 59th minute following Behringer's left-wing cross, equalling the mark for the most career goals in the tournament - 12. Germany broke the record held by Norway and Sweden for the Women's World Cup record score eleven minutes later when Smisek struck again from distance. She then finished off her treble and brought up double figures following a Garefrekes centre for the biggest margin of victory in an adult FIFA World Cup for men or women. The luckless Correa then completed the scoring as she fumbled another corner in the final minute.

England opener
England have the daunting task of facing Germany next on Friday but before that they open their Group A campaign tomorrow against Japan in Shanghai. Sweden, runners-up in 2003, meet African champions Nigeria in Chengdu after Group B is opened by two-time winners the United States and Korea DPR.

uefa.com