Germany made a successful defence of the Women's World Cup after they defeated Brazil in a pulsating final at the Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai.

Play flowed from end to end throughout, but in the end goals from Birgit Prinz and Simone Laudehr ensured Germany a second successive world title.

Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer played a crucial role in the victory as she saved a second-half penalty from Marta before denying a free-kick with a superb save.

She also ensured that Germany completed an impressive feat by going through the whole tournament without conceding a single goal.

Earlier, USA defeated Norway 4-1 in the third-place play-off.

A brace from Abby Wambach and further goals by Lori Chalupny and Heather O'Reilly ensured the game was over by the hour mark, although Ragnhild Gulbrandsen grabbed a consolation for Norway.