World Cup raining champions Germany crushed Norway 3-0 in the semi final on Wednesday to advance into the final act of the competition where they will play whoever emerges victorious out of Thursday's clash between the United States and Brazil.

The Germans got the opening goal right when it hurts the opponents most – at the end of the first half – and they didn’t had to do much to get it as Norway's Trine Ronning scored into her own net to give a big blow to her team’s morale.

The defending champions dominated the second half and increased their lead through goals by Kerstin Stegemann and Martina Mueller to win in a similar manner as they did over the US in the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup.

Since that tournament Germany hasn’t conceded a goal yet and with 529 minutes of infallible defense it broke China’s old record, which had gone 442 minutes with a clean sheet across the 1999 and 2003 events.

Chances were few in the first as both teams struggled to find their rhythm, but the Germans made a strategic substitution bringing on midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj on the left flank and the move had an instant impact in the 42nd minute.

With fresh legs off the bench, Bajramaj pushed the tempo on her side of the field and played a through-ball for Birgit Prinz, who passed sent in a cross from the left side and a Norwegian defender deflected it into the net whit her chest.  

The Scandinavians were tripped in their attempt to put some pressure on the Germans and get back in the game as they lost their playmaker Gulbrandsen, who limped off in the 55th minute because of a thigh injury.

The Germans knew this was the right time to deliver the fatal blow and struck fast in the 72nd minute through Kerstin Stegemann and again in the 75th as substitute Siri Nordby received a long ball from Stegemann and under hit a back pass that allowed Martina Mueller to control the ball and put it past the Norwegian goalie.

Germany was dominating a demoralized Norway and almost went up 4-0 in the 78th minute when Prinz found Bajramaj, whose powerful shot hit the crossbar.