The tears and raw emotions of the coach and players were evident from their joyous celebration on the pitch while the Germany skipper fell to her knees with exhaustion.

England added to their recent medal tally after defeating Germany 2-1 for the bronze medal in the women's Champions Trophy in July.

Germany appeared to have nothing left after losing 2-1 to Argentina in a hard-fought, physical encounter in Thursday's (September 9) semi-final and had no answer to the pressure applied by England.

The German team turned over possession for Alex Danson then Helen Richardson to score late in the first half.

"There is a lot more to come from this group before the London Olympics as we have a strong depth in the squad and you will see a lot more of these sorts of wins in the next two years," said England coach Danny Kerry.

Germany coach Michael Behrmann was philosophical in defeat.

"I felt that in the second half we could have kept playing for another two hours and we would not have scored a goal."

Later, Carla Rebecchi scored twice as Argentina was crowned world champions for the second time after beating holders Netherlands 3-1 in the final.

It was Argentina's third win over the Olympic champions in two months after it twice beat them on its way to retaining the Champions Trophy in Nottingham in July.

Argentina had also beat the Dutch when they won their first world title in Perth in 2002.

"We really wanted this title," coach Carlos Retegui.

"The girls won all their matches playing with fight, passion and heart."

Argentina made a lightning start and were two goals up inside eight minutes.

Rebecchi scored in the third minute, tapping a cross from the left into an open goal from a metre out with goalkeeper Joyce Stombroek committed.

The home side increased their lead with their first penalty corner when specialist Noel Barrionuevo rifled a shot into goal off Stombroek for her sixth of the tournament.

The Dutch, six times world champions, pulled one back 10 minutes into the second half through Maartje Paumen, the tournament's top scorer who took her tally to 12.

Argentina restored its two-goal advantage when Rebecchi volleyed in the loose ball after Stombroek had parried an effort by Soledad Garcia.