Julian Nagelsmann got off to a winning start as Germany's coach on Saturday with his team securing a comfortable 3-1 win over the United States in a friendly.

Germany looked much improved from the team that had suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Japan last month, a result which saw Hansi Flick fired as coach after a run of five matches without a win.

The Euro 2024 hosts could ill-afford another surprise loss but they delivered a solid, well-rounded performance after recovering from a Christian Pulisic opener for the US in the match at East Hartford, Connecticut.

Niclas Fullkrug scored and had an assist during a decisive second-half stretch for Germany. Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan also scored for Der Mannschaft.

Giovanni Reyna played the first 45 minutes for the US in his first appearance for manager Gregg Berhalter since both men were embroiled in an ugly saga in the aftermath of the Americans' elimination from the 2022 World Cup.

The result was the United States' first 90-minute defeat to an opponent since that tournament.

After the sides exchanged first-half goals, Germany took control with a four-minute outburst.

Fullkrug gave the visitors the lead in the 58th minute on a slickly worked goal. Musiala received a cross from the right near the penalty arc and played the ball to Robin Gosens on his left. Gosens' first-touch pass back across to Fullkrug broke the US back line, and Fullkrug finished easily past Matt Turner from close range.

Musiala's goal in the 61st owed to some good fortune when his attempted dribble carromed off the leg of defender Tim Ream and directly to Fullkrug on the left side of the box.

But Fullkrug deserved credit for quickly returning the ball to Musiala for a first-time finish that left Turner no chance.

Written with inputs from Reuters