France's Florent Malouda (right) is tackled by Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta during their Euro 2008 Group B qualifying football match at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis near Paris yesterday. France won 3-1. - Reuters

SERRAVALLE, San Marino (Reuters)

Germany crushed San Marino with a record-breaking 13-0 win yesterday, with striker Lukas Podolski scoring four in a Euro 2008 Group D qualifier.

The victory is a record in a European Championship qualifying match - bettering Spain's 12-1 victory over Malta in December, 1983.

Joachim Loew's side were 6-0 up by the interval against hopeless opposition and never eased up as they humiliated their mostly amateur opponents.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Hitzlsperger all scored two goals each with Michael Ballack, Arne Friedrich and Bernd Schneider (penalty) also on target.

The result is Germany's best ever in a competitive, non-Olympic game and surpassed their 12-0 victory over Cyprus in a 1969 World Cup qualifier.

Germany's all-time record win was a 16-0 victory over Russia in the 1912 Olympics.

The result was also the worst in San Marino's history - they had lost 10-0 to Norway in 1992.

The win maintains Germany's 100 percent start to qualifying, following their 1-0 win over Ireland on Saturday.

FRANCE GET REVENGE

Meanwhile, Olympique Lyon winger Sidney Govou hit a double as France stunned arch-rivals Italy 3-1 in a showcase match-up.

It was sweet revenge for Les Bleus who bowed to the Italians on penalties in a controversial World Cup final two months ago.

France are second in the Group B table, level with Scotland and five points ahead of the world champions who have made a miserable start to their campaign, having been held 1-1 by Lithuania on Saturday.

Govou needed just 90 seconds to make a dramatic impact, volleying in a cross by defender William Gallas.

It was the first time Govou, often used as a substitute, had started a match for France since the 4-0 thrashing of Cyprus in a World Cup qualifier in October 2005.

France increased their lead after 17 minutes when fans' favourite Thierry Henry produced a superb finish from close range after Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon failed to hold a powerful shot from Florent Malouda.

Italy grabbed a lifeline three minutes later when playmaker Andrea Pirlo's free kick was met with a header by striker Alberto Gilardino, giving Gregory Coupet no chance.

France have dropped their 4-2-3-1 line-up since Zidane's retirement, but the 4-4-2 system is proving highly reliable.

Italy pushed hard for an equaliser before the break but France held firm with influential defender Lilian Thuram being outstanding for the hosts.

Govou gave France breathing space 11 minutes into the second half with a powerful header from 10 metres and there was no way back for Italy despite a late chance for Pirlo.