Kai Havertz and Leroy Sane led Germany to a 2-1 win over the United States in Chicago on Saturday, but an impressive performance in defeat by the World Cup co-hosts will do little to dampen feverish expectations among home fans.
The US created a flurry of chances including a remarkable Antonee Robinson strike from outside the box to level the game, before four-time World Cup winners Germany regained the lead.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino described his side as 'unlucky' to lose, saying 'I'm happy with the performance of everyone.' The US begin their World Cup Friday in Los Angeles against Paraguay, before clashes with Australia and Turkey.
The co-hosts are favorites to progress beyond Group D, and have high hopes of going deep into the knockout rounds thanks to a crop of elite players including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
The packed 64,000 Chicago crowd began the afternoon in boisterous mood, with expectations sky high. Germany's Joshua Kimmich curled a perfect cross from a free kick onto the head of Havertz, who nodded it into the net with just two minutes gone.
Both US center-backs were at fault, with 38-year-old captain Tim Ream and Miles Robinson auditioning to start in place of the injured Chris Richards left flat-footed.
Havertz almost turned provider in the 10th minute, flashing a dangerous ball across the goal, but the flag was raised again.
After the early carnage, the US midfield anchored by Weston McKennie and Adams found their footing and exerted control.
US talisman Pulisic, growing into the game, created the equalizer in the 37th minute. The AC Milan forward's turn and rampaging run from the US half led to a corner which he took.
Germany failed to clear and it fell to Robinson just outside the box, who blasted a first-time thunderbolt into the net.
The Fulham defender's left-footed strike sailed straight down the middle of the goal but was struck so cleanly that keeper Oliver Baumann couldn't get a finger to it.
Sane put Germany back in front in the 57th minute, finishing a smart team passing move around the edge of the US box with a low shot from a Havertz assist that deflected past keeper Matt Freese.
From the hour mark, both managers began benching star players. Robinson departed with a limp that was later described as cramp.
Substitutes Nadiem Amiri and Brenden Aaronson came close to scoring at either end.
