Argentina suffer record 11-0 loss in opener

Argentina slumped to a humiliating 11-0 loss to Germany in the opening match of the women's World Cup on Monday, the worst defeat in the tournament's history.

Just days after the Argentine men's rugby team pulled off a stunning upset to beat hosts France in the first match of their World Cup, a woeful defensive display in Shanghai left Germany 4-0 up in 29 minutes.

"I don't want to comment a great deal about tactics," Argentina coach Jose Carlos Borrello told the FIFA website.

"It was a nightmare for our team. Our goalkeeper had a very unfortunate day and gave away two own goals."

Goalkeeper Vanina Correa's second own goal, Germany's 11th, capped off a miserable night for Argentina and put her in the record books as the only women's World Cup player to concede two own goals in a match.

A hat-trick each for Germany's Birgit Prinz and team-mate Sandra Smisek was only the second time two players have notched three goals in a World Cup match.

Prinz's treble also brought her alongside United States striker Michelle Akers as the most prolific scorer in women's World Cup history with 12 goals.

"It was much more straightforward than we thought it would be, although it was made easy for us because they gave so much room," Prinz told FIFA.

Borrello, who had said before the match that his players wanted revenge for what happened four years ago in the United States when they lost 6-1 to eventual champions Germany, promised that Argentina would bounce back.

"We're not yet at 100 per cent, but I'm certain we'll see a very different Argentina in our next two matches," he said.

Argentina face Japan and England in remaining Group A matches.

Yesterday's results: Group A - Japan vs England 2-2; Group B - Nigeria vs Sweden 1-1: United States vs North Korea 2-2.