Two goals by Kelly Smith, one each by Fara Williams, Jill Scott and Vicky Exley plus an own goal gave England second place in Group A behind Germany.

England will meet the winner of Group B — the United States or North Korea — in a quarterfinal on Saturday. That group will be decided tomorrow.

Argentina trailed after the ninth minute on an own goal. 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.

Just a minute later, the lead was doubled in equally unusual fashion. England midfielder Jill Scott closed down an opponent in a challenge, and her hasty kick flew 25 yards past Romina Ferro, who was slow to react.

It was 3-0 in the 50th minute after Fara Williams converted a penalty, with Catalina Perez receiving her second yellow card for committing the foul, reducing Argentina to 10 players.

Argentina scored in the 60th minute via a 20-yard freekick by Gonzalez. It was just the second goal Argentina had scored in a World Cup in six matches.

England restored its three-goal buffer in the 64th minute as Rachel Yankey cut in from the left wing and her low cross was tapped in by Kelly Smith from close range. Smith became the first player to have scored three goals for England at a World Cup.

Smith tied tournament scorering leaders in the 77th minute when England went up 5-1. A long-range shot by Yankey was only blocked by Ferro and the onrushing Smith had little trouble knocking it home.

Exley got the final goal on a penalty to make it 6-1.