Germany scored three goals in a five-minute span of the second half Thursday to rout Russia 7-1 in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup.
In the day's other match, Canada produced the only goal to defeat China 1-0.
PHOTO: AFP
Canada now faces Sweden in the semifinals tomorrow at Portland's PGE Park, while Germany plays takes on the US in the other semi.
The Germans have outscored their World Cup competition 20-3 while going 4-0.
"The German team is at its best right now," Russian coach Yuri Bystritsky said through an interpreter. "I think the German team has a real opportunity and is capable of winning the title."
Birgit Prinz and Kerstin Garefrekes each scored twice for Germany, which had six second-half goals.
"What I saw on the field was we were able to create many, many chances, and that is important as we go into the next game," German coach Tina Theune-Meyer said.
Germany, ranked third in the world behind the US and China, has never lost to Russia in women's soccer.
Charmaine Hooper scored an early goal to lead Canada over China.
"Four years ago, I would have never imagined us winning a game in the World Cup," said Hooper. "Probably China was under more pressure than us, because nobody expected Canada to win."
Christine Latham challenged Han Wenxia early in the match, but the Chinese goalkeeper made a diving stop at the corner of her goal.
A minute later, Han was unable to stop Hooper's dramatic header into the net as Canada went ahead in the seventh minute.
Sun Wen, who had just one goal in the tournament and needed one more to tie Michelle Akers' World Cup record of 12, missed a shot on Canada goaltender Taryn Swiatek in the 16th minute, jumping up and down in frustration.
"This is a dream come true for me and I think for many other members of our team," Swiatek said. "As for our next match, that's for tomorrow. I'm going to try to enjoy this one now."
Originally scheduled to host this year's World Cup before the SARS virus outbreak, China advanced to the final in 1999 before losing to the host US on penalty kicks.
Sun, who plans to retire at the end of the year, led the 1999 tournament with seven goals and has 106 in her career.
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