Argentina star Lionel Messi has urged his team-mates to keep the ball on the ground if they want to beat Germany.

The South Americans meet the hosts in the quarter-finals on Friday night.

And while the 19-year-old Messi acknowledged the Germans are a formidable team, especially on home turf, he believes Argentina can win as long as they stick to the passing game which has brought them so many plaudits.

"The Germans are difficult to beat both in defence and attack," said Messi.

"We should play as we know, with the ball on the grass, not with aerial play, because they have tall defenders."

Messi also hailed Germany striker Lukas Podolski, who has struck three goals so far in the tournament.

"I haven't watched him so much before the tournament," Messi said. "But in this World Cup he has demonstrated why he is in the national team and why he is a great player."

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, insists the prospect of facing Germany in Berlin is not one that holds any fear for him.

The Corinthians star is well aware the game will be a tough one against Jurgen Klinsmann's outfit, but he is confident the Argentinians have what it takes to make it through to the semi-finals.

"We'll have to play with guts," Tevez said.

"I don't fear them, but they will want to roll us over. They are hosts and they will have to show what they have got.

"They will pressure us and try not to let us play because they know if they do let us play we can make it difficult for them."