(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-10 23:23

Germany began its defence of its title in record fashion by hammering Argentina 11-0 Monday in Shanghai in the opening game of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Germans, who won the 2003 tournament in the United States, jumped to a commanding 4-0 lead inside half an hour and never looked back as they crushed the hapless Argentines in the Group A contest.

Germany broke the previous record for the largest victory in tournament history - Norway registered an 8-0 win over Nigeria in 1995, four years after Sweden beat Japan by the same score.

Birgit Prinz, a three-time winner of the FIFA women's player of the year award, and Sandra Smisek each scored a hat trick for the world champions, while Melanie Behringer pulled the creative strings in midfield, scoring one goal and setting up three others.

Germany looked slow and lethargic for the opening 10 minutes, but quickly overcame its malaise, running the Argentines ragged and bullying them around the field with their size advantage.

Argentina struggled to contain the skilful Germans, as the world champions poured forward in numbers and pinned the South Americans inside their half of the field for long stretches.

Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa bobbled a German corner kick into her net in the 12th minute to give Germany a 1-0 lead.

Germany made it 2-0 just five minutes later when Kerstin Garefrekes volleyed a long pass from midfield past Correa. Behringer put Germany up 3-0 after 24 minutes, scoring on a great solo effort after effortlessly skipping past an Argentine defender inside the box.

Prinz scored her first goal of the tournament on a header at the 29-minute mark and added a second just before the end of the half to give the Germans a commanding 5-0 advantage.

Renate Lingor capitalized on some poor defending by Argentina, chipping a shot from 25 yards out past Correa after 51 minutes. Smisek made it 7-0 after 57 minutes, pouncing on a rebound after Correa made a fingertip save on a German free kick.

Prinz completed her hat trick two minutes later, scoring on a header off a cross from Behringer from the wing. The German now has 12 career World Cup goals, tying her with American Michelle Akers for the all-time lead.

Smisek added her second goal of the game, collecting a gorgeous pass and sneaking behind the Argentine defence before slamming the ball into the roof of the net in the 70th minute, and then netted her third nine minutes later on an easy tap in.

Goal in injury time

Correa let another corner kick slip through her hands and into her net in injury time to complete the rout.

Germany thrashed Argentina 6-1 in their only previous meeting, at the 2003 World Cup.