Germany take on a Mali side that are full of confidence on Sunday, with both teams looking to reach the semi-finals of the 2015 FIFA under-20 World Cup.

Form guide

After defeating Fiji, Uzebikstan, Honduras and Nigeria, Germany will be keen to keep up their 100% record in Christchurch.

They've played all their games at the same location, and seem to have won the crowd onto their side ahead of the crucial quarter-final clash.

Many had tipped Nigeria to spring a surprise against Frank Wormuth's men, though they were confidently dispatched.

After being cited as their 'first real test', Germany passed with flying colours and will be hopeful of putting in a similar performance against Mali.

Their opponents surprised everyone to upset the odds against Ghana, scoring three quite incredible goals in the process.

If Mali can reproduce that attacking masterclass, no team, let alone Germany, will be able to stop them.

They have already negotiated the Group of Death - Serbia, Uruguary & Mexico - and can be quietly confident that they could spring a surprise against the favourites.

Key players

After yet another stellar performance in midfield, Marc Stendera is making a very valid case to be player of the tournament.

Four games in and Stendera has accumulated four goals and three assists - only Viktor Kovalenko and Bence Mervó have scored more than him.

Julian Weigl, who recently moved to Borussia Dortmund, was also hugely impressive and anchored the midfield with great control and composure.

Even though he arrived after everyone else, due to club duties, Weigl was thrown in straight away and has been a calming presence in the midfield hustle and bustle.

Of the LOSC Lille trio that made into the Mali squad, Adama Traoré has been one of the stand-out performers.

The attacking midfielder already has two goals to his name and, along with club team-mate Dieudonne Gbakle, caused trouble at every opportunity.

Diadie Samassékou, who rounded off an excellent team goal for their opener against Ghana, is another to keep an eye on from midfield.

What they're saying

Fanyeri Diarra said his side "did exactly what we [Mali] set out to do". He added that his team kept "very compact" and "delivered a great performance".

Diarra complimented his side on their ability to take to his tactics, admitting he was "very happy" and "delighted" that they made the quarter-finals.

He highlighted the mix of African and European-based players as something that has benefited the squad.

The coach commented that they have "brought some superb experience with them" and "have lifted the team to a much stronger level".

Wormuth spoke initially of his side's ability "to keep the ball under pressure".

After congratulating Nigeria, he moved onto his defence and admitted he was "especially proud" of them.

Though, as soon as the last 16 game had been dealt with, he was immediately looking to the next game.

"Of course, our [Germany's] aim is to get to the final in Auckland," claimed the Germany coach.

However, he wasn't getting too carried away and said they must go "step to step" and that next step is Mali.

He added that it is "the German mentality" to go about things in this manner.

Wormuth also thinks he has Mali's game plan figured out, saying that he expects them to "play in quite a similar way" to Nigerians.

Referee

César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos, from Mexico, has already refereed two games at the finals - including Germany's win over Uzbekistan.

He was made a full FIFA international referee recently, and has taken charge of a handful of CONCACAF Champions League games.

Alongside side the major continental tournament, the 32-year-old is a Liga MX official.

Predicted line-ups

Mali: D. Diarra; Sacko, Maïga, Coulibaly, Koné; S. Diarra, Samassekou; Doumbia, Traoré, Gbakle; Diallo.

Germany: Schwäbe; Akpoguma, Stark, Kempf, Bauer; Wittek, Prömel; Öztunali, Stendera, Brandt; Mukhtar.

Quotes via FIFA.com