Sané shows he can replace Karl as Germany beat US in last warm-up

Germany beat co-hosts the United States 2-1 in their final World Cup warm-up on Saturday after Leroy Sané took advantage of being elevated to the starting line-up with a second-half winner.

The four-times world champions demonstrated the difference in class after the break in the heat of Chicago, following an even first half marked by an early header from Kai Havertz and Antonee Robinson's expert volley.

The Germans, not viewed among the favourites for the June 11-July 19 event in the US, Mexico and Canada, are dealing with the shock of Lennart Karl's World Cup-ending injury but will still be upbeat ahead of their first group match against Curaçao on June 14 .

"It was a perfect test for us given the weather and opponents," Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann told RTL after the men's team racked up a 600th win. "Leroy is well loved, it's all up to him. He's a great guy."

The US begin their campaign against Paraguay on Friday in Los Angeles and have work to do after a mixed display. They had more possession and more shots than Germany but were less convincing.

Chicago's Soldier Field is normally used for American Football and the razzmatazz and fireworks for the US anthem before kick-off was reminiscent of the NFL and a taste of what is to come.

Heat and storms are set to be a factor at the World Cup, although light rain fell early at the home of the Chicago Bears. It was still hot enough for drinks breaks mid-way through both halves.

Nagelsmann fielded close to his World Cup line-up, with Galatasaray's Sané on the wing following Karl's exit with a thigh tear.

New call-up Assan Ouédraogo is en route but Sané's experience means he is likely to start against Curaçao, especially after finishing off a fine team move and Havertz's lay-off on 57 minutes.

Havertz, who joined the camp late given Arsenal's Champions League final defeat last Saturday, started up front in place of Deniz Undav and immediately made an impact just like against Paris Saint-Germain.

Joshua Kimmich's flighted free-kick was nodded home by Havertz on 3 minutes, with the US defenders nowhere near him.

Havertz said: "I think we played well. The second half was better. We can be happy to have boosted confidence for the first group game."

The Germany forward also had the ball in the net soon after his early goal, but it ran out of play before Sané's cutback.

Brown and Pulisic shine

Undav scored twice in the 4-0 friendly win over Finland last Sunday but is expected to play second fiddle to Havertz at the World Cup.

Nagelsmann also persisted with Nathaniel Brown in defence, with previous starting left back David Raum on the bench after injury.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Brown, linked in the media with a move to Bayern Munich, may well keep his place for the big event having looked impressive while repelling US forays forward.

Manuel Neuer is not fully fit so Oliver Baumann stayed in goal, although the 2014 World Cup winner is expected to be available for Germany's Group E opener in Houston.

There was little Brown or Baumann could do to stop Robinson's volley as the Fulham man connected perfectly with a clearance from a corner.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino started Bayer Leverkusen's Malik Tillman but Borussia Mönchengladbach's Gio Reyna was a substitute.

It was ex-Bundesliga star Christian Pulisic who was the US' biggest danger, having two decent chances, but they faded in the second half.

The Stars and Stripes beat Senegal 3-2 last Sunday but proved they could only hold their own for 45 minutes against Germany. One half will not be enough against the big sides at their home World Cup.

The World Cup begins on Thursday when Mexico welcome South Africa to Mexico City.