Germany's Martina Mueller (No. 16) celebrates with Linda Bresonik after scoring the third goal during their semi-final match against Norway in Tianjin yesterday. Germany won 3-0 to advance to the final in Shanghai on Sunday. - AP

TIANJIN, China (AP):

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Germany reached the final of the women's World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Norway yesterday.

Germany will play the winner of today's United States-Brazil semi-final, with the final set for Sunday in Shanghai.

An own goal by Norway's Trine Ronning just before half-time set Germany on their way, and they dominated the second half, with further goals to Kerstin Stegemann and Martina Mueller.

Germany's authoritative performance was reminiscent of their 3-0 win over the United States in the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup. Germany have now gone 529 minutes without conceding a World Cup goal, dating back to the 2003 tournament. That broke the record of China, who had gone 442 minutes with a clean sheet across the 1999 and 2003 events.

For Norway, the loss was their first ever to European opposition at a World Cup, and an uncomfortable reminder of their 5-0 thumping in the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup. Clear chances were hard to come by in the first half, with Leni Larsen Kaurin's mis-hit volley and Solveig Gulbrandsen's firm, low shot from a corner the best efforts for Norway.

Final pass

Germany attempted more intricate build-ups than Norway, but could not find the final pass to set up a shooting opportunity.

Germany made a tactical substitution late in the first half, bringing on pacy, left-sided midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj, and the move had an immediate impact in the 42nd minute.

Bajramaj played a through-ball for Birgit Prinz, who whipped in a cross from the left, and Ronning - attempting to block the ball with her chest - only succeeded in diverting it into the net.

Germany almost doubled the lead in the first minute of the second half when Prinz cut back a ball in the box to the on-rushing Sandra Smisek, but she was unable to control the shot and hit over the bar.

Norway struggled to find any rhythm in the second half, and were not helped by the loss of playmaker Gulbrandsen, who hobbled off in the 55th after looking restricted by a thigh injury throughout.

Germany delivered the killer blow in the 72nd minute. Off a quick break, Prinz played a ball inside to right back Kerstin Stegemann. Her shot took a deflection, looping beyond the reach of Norway goalkeeper Bente Nordby, on to the inside of the left post and into the net.