The German team celebrates after winning the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament in Shanghai, China, yesterday. Germany defeated Brazil 2-0. - AP

SHANGHAI, China (AP)

Germany became the first team to win successive women's World Cups by beating Brazil 2-0 in yesterday's final, relying on its trademark defence.

Germany went through the entire tournament without conceding a goal and once again had its defence to thank for downing a Brazil side that controlled much of the match.

Birgit Prinz put Germany ahead early in the 52nd and goalkeeper Nadine Angerer preserved the lead when she saved a penalty from Marta. Simone Laudehr sealed the result in the 86th with a header.

"Brazil had more of the game, but we worked hard as a team, especially in defence," Germany coach Silvia Neid said.

Timely goal

"In the second half, we scored at the right time and after that our players realised they could hold this game.

"After Nadine stopped the penalty, I was pretty sure we wouldn't concede a goal."

In the third-place game, the United States defeated Norway 4-1. The No. 1-ranked U.S. have won two World Cups and finished third three times.

Germany extended its record to 619 minutes in World Cups without conceding a goal and outscored its opponents 21-0. Germany last gave up a goal in World Cup play in last year's final against Brazil.

Germany also become the first soccer team to win a major international tournament without yielding a goal.

They came close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute when Kerstin Garefrekes hit the side netting but, thereafter, Brazil dominated, thanks to the efforts of the hard-tackling midfield duo Formiga and Ester.

Best chance

Brazil's best chance to take the lead came in the 24th minute when Daniela's rasping shot thumped into the left post and when the rebound was crossed back into the area, the same player headed over the bar.

"It was a sad day but this team has done a very good job," Cristiane said. "We have 21 very talented players and I think we have given a very good example to the girls in Brazil."

Germany took on a more attacking formation for the start of the second half, pushing wide players forward and were rewarded with the lead in the 52nd minute.

Sandra Smisek took possession in the box and centred to an unmarked Prinz. She did not hit her shot cleanly but Brazil goalkeeper Andreia failed to get down quickly enough and the shot passed under her and into the net.

Brazil were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute after Cristiane fell under a challenge from Linda Bresonik. Tournament top scorer Marta - she finished with seven - took the spotkick but Angerer guessed correctly in diving to her right, blocking the low shot with her legs.

Penalty

"I watched the quarter-final between Brazil and Australia, when Marta also had a penalty," Angerer said. "In that match she went to the bottom left corner, so this time I thought she would go to the right. I waited as long as I could to act and it was the right decision."

But, for all its domination of general play, Brazil could find no way past the German defence and Laudehr sealed victory when she headed home Renate Lingor's corner.

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

"Even though we lost, this result of making the final will bring more investors and will bring a lot of benefits to women's football in Brazil."

In the presentation ceremony, two Brazilian players held up a banner saying 'Brazil: we need support', and Marta said after the match that the country's soccer authorities must fulfill promises of a women's club competition in the country and financial support for the players.

"We are going to lose the game again if we don't fight to increase the level of administration in Brazilian football," Marta said.

"We can't leave again with promises, like what happened after the Olympics in 2004."