German Women Advance

Triple World Player of the Year Prinz hit the first goal in the 2-0 win in Hangzhou on Monday, Sept. 17, and played a crucial role in the second as Germany picked themselves up from the disappointing 0-0 draw against England on Friday to make it into the last eight.

Germany, who hit a record 11 goals in their first match against Argentina, took control of the game in the opening minutes, cutting through Japan's defense and bombarding the goal with shots.

Forward Petra Wimbersky should have scored in the third minute, latching onto a pass inside the area, but goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto just tipped the thundering shot over the bar.

Kerstin Garefrekes fired off a missile two minutes later that went high, and came close near half-time when her shot was blocked by a charging Fukumoto, who was under pressure to keep her team in the match.

But it was Prinz who did the damage, lurking on the edge of the penalty box to meet Renate Lingor's corner which she rifled into the net on her second touch with 21 minutes gone.

The goal propelled Prinz, playing in her fourth World Cup, into the history books by surpassing retired American player Michelle Akers as the most prolific World Cup scorer with 13 goals.

German coach Silvia Neid brought on 19-year-old sensation Fatmire Bajramaj to add penetration in the second half, but the Germans could not break down Japan's increasingly dogged defense.

The second goal came just three minutes from the end. A flowing move from Germany ended in a foul on Martina Müller in the penalty box and Lingor secured victory by coolly converting the resulting penalty.

Victorious Germany looking for another level

Neid was full of praise for her players after the match.

"I'm very happy with the performance of our team, we reached the quarter finals and that's what we were aiming for," she told reporters. "We played well against a strong opponent and we created a lot of chances. Nevertheless, in the quarter-final, we have to add a little bit to our performance, because we will face a very tough opponent."

Germany ended the Cup's first stage on top of Group A with seven points and will play the runner-up in Group B, likely to be North Korea, on Saturday.

England add more misery to Argentina

Germany were joined in the last eight by England, who thumped South American champions Argentina 6-1.

Kelly Smith scored twice in the rout which signaled the end of a nightmare tournament for Argentina, who conceded 18 goals in total and scored just one.

Star striker Smith pounced in the 64th and the 77th minute to bring her World Cup tally to four goals in three games and ensure England made the last eight for the first time since 1995.

The game got off to the worst possible start for Argentina when captain Eva Gonzalez scored an own goal in the ninth minute. Then Jill Scott pounced barely 60 seconds later with a long-range effort to put England a well-deserved 2-0 up at half time.

The South Americans then gave away two penalties and had Catalina Perez sent off -- the first red card of the championships -- leaving them in all sorts of trouble.

Fara Williams converted the first penalty kick in the 50th minute, Smith scored her brace and then substitute Vicky Exley added another from the spot on 90 minutes.

"The girls were magnificent and we are really pleased," said England coach Hope Powell. "It was our target to get out of the group. We have achieved that. We now move on to the next stage."