(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-17 00:00

HANGZHOU - Defending champion Germany and England have claimed the first quarterfinal places in the women's World Cup.

In Group A at Hangzhou on Monday, Germany defeated Japan 2-0 to advance on a record-setting night for striker Birgit Prinz. Prinz scored one goal to give her 13, setting a new World Cup scoring record, eclipsing American Michelle Ackers.

England, playing in Chengdu, routed Argentina 6-1 to reach it first quarterfinal in 12 years.

"Everybody is ecstatic to score six goals on the night is fantastic," said Kelly Smith, who scored two and now has four goals to share the tournament scoring lead."We are confident we can get a result in the quarterfinals."

England coach Hope Powell played on England's last quarterfinal team.

"I can't remember much as a player," Powell said. "I'm just really happy for the players, all the staff. It's been a very, very long journey."

The other six berths will be determined on Tuesday and Wednesday with the quarterfinals opening on Saturday. The final is September 30 in Shanghai.

The No. 1-ranked United States and North Korea are favored to advance on Tuesday from Group B. The Americans face Nigeria and North Korea plays Sweden. The group winner will face England and the second-place team gets Germany.

Group C and D will be settled on Wednesday.

Norway is favored in Group C, though Australia could also win it. Norway plays already eliminated Ghana and Australia has Canada. Australia needs only a draw to advance, but Canada could move on with a victory.

Brazil is nearly certain to win Group D after its impressive 4-0 victory over China on Saturday behind two goals by Marta. Brazil is up against Denmark on Wednesday and China faces New Zealand with the home team favored to advance.

Germany dominated the game and opened the scoring when the ball fell to Prinz's feet off a corner kick in the first half. She quickly buried the ball into the top of the goal for her 13th goal in World Cup finals.

Renate Lingor added a late penalty for Germany.

Germany, playing without midfielder Simone Laudehr who was suspended with two yellow cards, could have scored more except for poor shooting and excellent goalkeeping by Miho Fukumoto.

Germany finished the group stage with seven points, followed by England with five, Japan with four and Argentina with none.

For England, two goals by Smith, with one each from Fara Williams, Jill Scott and Vicky Exley plus an own goal gave England second place in Group A.

Argentina went behind in the ninth minute in embarrassing circumstances. A cross was floated into the penalty area and Argentine captain Eva Gonzalez - under no pressure - tried to head it back to her own keeper but connected too firmly and put it into the net.

It didn't get any better. Scott added another a minute later, and it was 3-0 in the 50th when Williams converted a penalty.

Gonzalez scored on a free kick in the 60th to make it 3-1, but then England added Smith's goals in the 64th and 77th. Exley scored on a late penalty.