Behind its trademark smothering defense and a crafty save by its goalkeeper on a penalty kick, Germany defeated Brazil 2-0 in the final Sunday in Shanghai, China. It became the first women's soccer team to successfully defend its title in the World Cup or Olympics.

Birgit Prinz scored in the 52nd minute and Simone Laudehr added a headed goal in the 86th. Marta, the Brazilian star with seven goals in the tournament, had a chance to tie the score after a foul in the 62nd minute, but her penalty kick was stopped by diving goalie Nadine Angerer.

"After the penalty save, I felt it was meant to be," Germany coach Silvia Neid said. "... It was important to work against Marta, and we did a good job in pushing her to the sidelines."

Germany outscored the opposition 21-0 in the tournament, becoming was the first team to go through a major senior competition without yielding a goal.

The Germans thwarted the flowing attacks of Brazil, which dominated possession but couldn't get past Angerer and central defenders Ariane Hingst and Annike Krahn.

"We had a lot of chances. Germany had fewer chances, but when they got them they scored," Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said.

ALSO SUNDAY

THIRD-PLACE GAME

UNITED STATES 4, NORWAY 1: A big question remains for the U.S. team after its rousing victory over Norway for third place in the Women's World Cup.

Why did it take so long to play so well?

Abby Wambach scored twice and Lori Chalupny and Heather O'Reilly added goals. From an energized dressing room beforehand to an emotional hand-over of the captain armband in the final minutes -- from Kristine Lilly to goalkeeper Briana Scurry -- the United States was the attacking team it wasn't for most of the tournament.

"We were in the locker room, and it was a completely different atmosphere for us," Chalupny said. "Everybody was jumping around, and we just had a new joy."

The days leading to the third-place game were rough for the Americans: a humiliating 4-0 loss to Brazil in the semifinals, followed by the expulsion of goalie Hope Solo for criticizing coach Greg Ryan for benching her against the South Americans.