TIANJIN (China), Sept 22: Women’s World Cup favourites the United States and defending champion Germany cruised into the semi-finals with 3-0 victories Saturday over England and North Korea respectively.

The United States will meet the winner of today’s (Sunday) quarterfinal between Brazil and Australia in a semi-final on Thursday in Hangzhou, while Germany will face either Norway or host China in Wednesday’s semi-final in Tianjin.

Second-half goals by Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx and Kristine Lilly in Tianjin put the Americans through after a tight first half.

In Wuhan, Germany also struggled early before Kerstin Garefrekes put it ahead just before halftime and Renate Lingor and Annike Krahn tied up the result.

The US scored three goals in 12 minutes and improved its unbeaten string to 51 games dating back almost three years.

Wambach banged in a header in the 48th, directing home a corner from Lilly before a small crowd of about 18,000 at the 60,000-seat Olympic Centre Stadium.

Midfielder Boxx made it 2-0 in the 57th. She stripped a ball near midfield from England’s Jill Scott and scored on a long-range shot, the ball going in off the fingertips of England keeper Rachel Brown.

In the 60th, American captain Lilly broke through with her first goal of this tournament — and her eighth in World Cup play. A long ball from across midfield bounced high and fooled Brown, who was far off her line. She leaped and could only tip it, with Lilly running in behind to knock it home.

In Wuhan, Germany wore down a North Korean team that looked exhausted by a fourth match in quick succession employing a hard-running style.

“It was important to play such a good game. North Korea was one of the favourites for winning the title in the tournament, so winning against such a team makes me a little more optimistic that we can move forward,” Germany coach Sylvia Neid said.

Garefrekes put Germany ahead in the 44th minute, outmanoeuvring three defenders to launch a left-foot shot from 15 metres (yards) that swerved past the fingertips of goalie Jon Myong Hui and inside the left post.

North Korea missed two equalising chances in rapid succession before Lingor widened the margin in the 67th minute with a goal from 12 metres (yards) out, after a neat one-two exchange with Sandra Smisek.—AP