Jurgen Klinsmann got one over the country with whom he won the World Cup as a player as his United States side picked up a 2-1 win against Germany in Cologne on Wednesday.

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Mario Gotze gave the hosts the lead but Mikkel Diskerud levelled for an improving USA side, who then grabbed a deserved victory when Germany-based Bobby Wood struck with two minutes left.

Germany did not have the energy to respond as they raised the white flag just days ahead of a Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar, where a similar result would not be tolerated for the defending world champions.

Midfielder Patrick Herrmann, making his first start for his country, soon made it clear why he had been called up by coach Joachim Low, replicating his club form and tying his Borussia Monchengladbach team-mate Fabian Johnson in knots.

He did even more to set up Germany’s opening goal, evading several defenders on his way into the box before teeing up Gotze. 

Gotze, set up again by Herrmann, failed to beat Brad Guzan in a one-on-one before Andre Schurrle headed wide from yards out.

The hosts then appeared to take their foot off the gas and they were promptly punished, with Diskerud latching on to a finely weighted ball from Michael Bradley to scissor-kick past Ron-Robert Zieler.

Germany’s lethargy grew in the second half and the United States, for whom this game was arguably a more important test ahead of the Gold Cup, started to take control.

Wood then gave the USA a deserved lead with just a few minutes remaining, the substitute picking up the ball with his back to goal and making room for a shot with a neat turn before picking his spot into the bottom left-hand corner.

It was a fine finish from a player who plies his trade in the second division in Germany for Erzgebirge Aue, who were relegated last season.

Sami Khedira hit the crossbar with a late header but an equaliser would have been harsh on the Americans, who earned their first win over Germany on German soil.