THE CANADIAN PRESS -- BERLIN - Germany's mighty women's soccer squad proved too much for Canada on Sunday, defeating the resurgent Canadian team 2-1 in the official opening game of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Kerstin Garefrekes and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi scored for the two-time defending World Cup champions, the favourites to hoist a third World Cup in their own country, and a squad that hasn't lost a World Cup match since 1999, nor an opening game of a World Cup tournament — ever.

Canada's captain Christine Sinclair scored for Canada, launching a free kick into the top right corner of the net past German 'keeper Nadine Angerer.

Garefrekes scored on a header in the 10th minute, beating defender Marie-Eve Nault to a cross from Babett Peter from the left wing to the right side of the box, launching an arcing shot past Canadian 'keeper Erin McLeod that brought the festive crowd of 73,680 — a sellout at the storied Olympiastadion — to its feet.

Okoyino Da Mbabi doubled Germany's lead in the 42nd when she sprinted through Canada's backline to run onto a right-footed lob from Garefrekes for a 40-yard breakaway. She calmly slotted the ball past McLeod from the top of the six-yard-box as Canadian head coach Carolina Morace hollered at the referee that the play was offside.

Television replays showed Nault had played the German goalscorer onside.