SHANGHAI (AFP) - Defending champions Germany kicked off the fifth women's World Cup on Monday with a stunning 11-0 demolition of Argentina -- the biggest rout in the tournament's history.

Prior to the match the United States, ranked number one in the world who play their first game against North Korea on Tuesday, were standout favourites to win the title, but Germany served up an ominous warning.

They turned the opening Group A match into a one-way procession of goals that astonished the hapless Argentines, and indicated that they will be a serious contender to hold on to the trophy they won in 2003.

"The message to the other teams is that they know we are in good shape now," said German coach Silvia Neid.

The opening World Cup game became an embarrassment for Argentina inside the first 30 minutes when Germany went 4-0 up. Within the hour, the score was 8-0 and the Argentines had buckled for good.

The Germans were in double figures with more than 10 minutes still to run when striker Sandra Smisek scored the 10th goal in the 79th minute

That was her hat-trick for the night after hitting the target in the 57th and 70th minutes as Germany's push forward left the Argentinian team in tatters.

Another hat-trick went to Germany's legendary striker Birgit Prinz, 29, playing in her fourth World Cup and voted player of the match.

She scored in the 29th, 46th and 59th minutes to become the nation's leading scorer of all time in World Cup play with 12 goals.

The FIFA World Player of the Year in 2003, 2004, and 2005, has been capped more the 150 times and scored more than 100 goals for her country.

She said that the side can only get better and needed tougher opponents to really click as a unit.

"We scored a lot of goals and we used our chances well," she said. "But we made too many mistakes. To get into a real flow that match has to be more balanced."

Argentina were beaten 6-0 by the Germany in the group stage of the 2003 World Cup, their only previous appearance in the tournament finals. The team were expecting to do better this time after beating Brazil in November to become South American champions

"This was a nightmare start for our team," said coach Carlos Borrello, who opted for Vanina Correa in goal ahead of experienced Romina Ferro, a veteran of the 2003 World Cup.

Germany opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Correa knocked the ball into her net for the first of two own goals.

She scored another in the same fashion on the whistle that ended Argentina's misery. Other goals were poached by Kerstin Garefrekes, Melanie Behringer, and Renate Lingor.

Borrello said Correa had won her place in the side through good form in friendly warm-up matches.

"But she was really unlucky. She made two mistakes and scored two own goals," he said. Selectors will meet to decide who gets to keep goal for Argentina's next tie, against Japan on Friday.

Germany play England on the same night and coach Neid warned her players to expect a tougher contest.

"We hope to be prepared for England now," she said. "That will be a totally different game."

Sixteen teams in four groups are competing in the World Cup in five Chinese cities. The final is on September 30th in Shanghai.