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 head into their first group match against Curaçao on June 14 with confidence.
The US begin their campaign against Paraguay on Friday in Los Angeles and have work to do after a mixed display.
Germany coach Julian 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.
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.
