The semifinal cleansheet broke the record of China, which had gone 442 minutes with a clean sheet across the 1999 and 2003 events.
"It was a great performance and I'm absolutely delighted we haven't let in a goal," said Silvia Neid, Germany coach.
"I think that's never happened in World Cup history before."
For Norway, the loss was its first ever to European opposition at a World Cup, and an uncomfortable reminder of its 5-0 thumping in the semifinals of the 1999 World Cup.
Clear chances were hard to come by in the first half, with Leni Larsen Kaurin's miss-hit volley and Solveig Gulbrandsen's firm low shot from a corner the best efforts for Norway.
Germany attempted more intricate build-ups than Norway, but could not find the final pass to set up a shooting opportunity.
Super sub Germany made a tactical substitution late in the first half, bringing on pacy left-sided midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj, and the move had an immediate impact in the 42nd minute.
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"It was a great performance and I'm absolutely delighted we haven't let in a goal."
Silvia Neid,
Germany coach |
Bajramaj played a through-ball for Birgit Prinz, who whipped in a cross from the left, and Ronning, attempting to block the ball with her chest, only succeeded in divering it into the net.
Germany almost doubled the lead in the first minute of the second half when Prinz cut back a ball in the box to the onrushing Sandra Smisek, but she was unable to control the shot and hit the ball well over the bar.
Now chasing the game, Norway struggled to find any rhythm in the second half, and was not helped by the loss of playmaker Gulbrandsen, who hobbled off in the 55th after looking restricted by a thigh injury throughout.
Killer blow
Germany delivered the killer blow in the 72nd minute.
Off a quick break, Prinz played a ball inside to right back Kerstin Stegemann.
Her shot took a deflection, looping beyond the reach of Norway goalkeeper Bente Nordby, onto the inside of the left post and into the net.
Just three minutes later it was 3-0.
A speculative longball by Stegemann pierced an uncertain Norway central defense, and substitute Siri Nordby underhit a backpass, allowing substitute Martina Mueller to steal in, take possession, and shoot past the keeper.
Germany was dominating a dejected Norway and almost went 4-0 up in the 78th minute when Prinz, with yet another cutback from the right, found Bajramaj, whose firm shot rattled the crossbar.