FIFA Women's World Cup: Ary Borges Scores Hat-trick As Brazil Put On The Style, Germany Also Win Big

Ary Borges was the star of the show at the Women's World Cup on Monday, hitting a hat-trick for an impressive Brazil, while Germany also won big to begin their campaign. Italy were also victors but needed an 87th-minute header from substitute Cristiana Girelli to squeeze past Argentina 1-0. Brazil have featured at all eight previous Women's World Cups -- and never won it. Far tougher challenges lie ahead -- they face France next -- but their 4-0 thumping of debutants Panama was the perfect start for Swedish coach Pia Sundhage's side.

The stylish victory was all about 23-year-old attacking midfielder Borges.

As well as her hat-trick she also set up the other -- her backheel to tee up Bia Zaneratto at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide capping off a sweeping team move and the best goal of the competition so far.

Some of the Panama players and fans were in tears during their national anthem, underlining what it means to them to be at the World Cup for the first time.

But this was a debut they will probably want to forget as Brazil put on an exhibition of flowing, attacking football.

As a result Brazil top Group F after Jamaica surprisingly held France 0-0 on Sunday.

Popp double

Earlier, Alexandra Popp scored twice as Germany thrashed Morocco 6-0 for the biggest win of the tournament so far.

The lower-ranked teams at the first 32-team Women's World Cup have generally held their own, indicating a closing of the gap in women's international football.

But two-time champions Germany blew away Morocco, the first Arab team at a Women's World Cup.

The Germans are among the favourites once again, along with holders the United States, England, Spain and France, and they showed why with a clinical performance in front of a near sell-out