The Group of Death is still alive and kicking at the Fifa world under-17 soccer championships.
All four Group C teams - based at Christchurch's QEII Stadium - can still qualify for the quarter-finals, but Brazil and Australia have a slight edge over Mali and Germany going into Wednesday's decisive round.
Brazil leads the group with four points after a scoreless draw with Mali yesterday. Australia is second with three points after a goal by captain Mark Byrnes clinched a come-from-behind 2-1 win over a devastated German side.
Mali, which has dominated both its games but is yet to score a goal, has two points, and Germany one.
But all four can mathematically qualify for the top eight and, as Australian coach Les Scheinflug said so succinctly: "this group is dynamite".
Defending champion Brazil has yet to play with the style expected of the world's most successful soccer nation.
But coach Carlos Cesar was still happy with a "very, very nice result" against Mali.
"We keep our position as first in the group, and if we get a draw against Germany, we will qualify."
Cesar felt the odds favoured Brazil and Australia, because Germany and Mali had to beat them to qualify.
Brazil and Mali played some sparkling soccer last night, but defences again dominated.
Eduardo and Leo were again impressive in midfield for Brazil in the second half, but striker Souza was shut out by the Mali defence. Marquinhos marshalled the Brazilian rearguard well, but Mali still should have scored. Koly Kante, Mamadou Diawara, and Idrissa Kone all failed to make the most of good chances.
Captain Djibril Sidibe - back from a one-game suspension - broke away twice in the dying stages, but could not test goalkeeper Rubinho.
Mali goalkeeper Cheick Oumar Bathily produced a brilliant save from Caca's second-half shot.
Mali coach Fanyery Diarra was at a loss to explain why his talented side has not scored a goal in the tournament. "I am really surprised with our attack because in our preparation we have scored many goals.
"But now we have our backs against the wall. We have to score goals and we have to win (against Australia) to qualify."
Mark Byrnes's most important goal of his career threw Australia a lifeline against Germany.
The Germans looked impressive in the opening quarter and went ahead after nine minutes after striker Florian Heller produced a perfect cutback for Leonhard Haas to lash home.
With Louis Brain exploiting some extra space down the right flank, and Jade North making some telling runs, Australia began to mount a spirited second-half comeback. Wayne Srhoj, who had a strong game in midfield, was credited with scoring the equaliser, after a deflection off a German.
Byrnes bobbed up in the penalty area in the 70th minute to stab home the ball after a Lucas Pantelis free kick. Yesterday's Group C results: Australia 2 (Wayne Shroj 65min, Mark Byrnes 70) Germany 1 (Leonhard Haas 9). HT: Germany 1-0. Brazil 0 Mali 0. Wednesday's draw: 4pm Brazil v Germany, 6.15pm Australia v Mali.