Tianjin (Bloomberg) — Defending champions Germany beat Norway 3-0 yesterday to reach the final of soccer's Women's World Cup for a third time.

Kerstin Stegemann and Martina Mueller got second-half goals in Tianjin, China, after Norway's Trine Ronning deflected the ball into her own net for the opener three minutes before half-time.

Germany will play the winners of today's match between two-time champions the United States and Brazil in Sunday's final. The tournament, in its fifth edition, has also been won by Norway.

Norway, who beat Germany in the 1995 final, dominated the first half, though were unable to beat goalkeeper Nadine Angerer with a series of long shots. She was also assisted by her defence in a goalmouth scramble just before half-time.

Ronning scored an own goal on 42 minutes, turning the ball in from a cross by Birgit Prinz, the three-time world player of the year.

Stegemann doubled Germany's advantage in the 72nd minute, benefiting from a deflection off a defender that curled the ball over goalkeeper Bente Nordby and in off the back post.

Mueller sealed the win three minutes later with the 100th goal of the tournament. The substitute took advantage after a backpass to Nordby fell short. Germany, the only team yet to allow a goal in this year's competition, have now won 13 of their 29 meetings with Norway. The Norwegians have 11 wins, while five matches have been drawn.

China are hosting the World Cup after the 2003 tournament was moved to the US because of concern about severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.