Bad Break for Brazilian Star Neymar

04 Jul, 2014

Brazil suffered a huge blow when they lost leading forward Neymar for the rest of the World Cup through injury on Friday as they set up an epic-looking semi-final against Europe’s biggest remaining team Germany.

Brazil’s poster-boy, in terrific form with four goals at the tournament, fractured a vertebra near the end of a 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia and will be out for several weeks.

“It doesn’t need surgery, but he’ll need to immobilize it to recover,” team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said.

The news dampened the host nation’s celebrations, given the team’s reliance on the 22-year-old Barcelona forward’s skill and talismanic presence. Many bookmakers now have Brazil and Germany as joint favorites at around 9/4.

Brazil face their biggest test of the tournament in the semi-final in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday against Germany, who defeated France in their quarter-final earlier on Friday.

He writhed in pain and was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after receiving a knee in the back from Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga. Fans gathered outside the hospital in Fortaleza shouting “Be strong” as Neymar was wheeled in.

“I hope it’s nothing serious, let’s pray to God. He is a great talent for Brazil and for the world,” Zuniga said.

The five-time champion’s victory ended Colombia’s dream run to their first quarter-final in a passionate and physical game.

First, Brazil captain Thiago Silva bundled in Neymar’s corner with his waist after seven minutes to settle his nervy team mates. Then a pumped-up David Luiz scored with a sublime 69th minute free kick to put Brazil two goals ahead.

Colombia’s man-of-the-moment James Rodriguez pulled his side back into the match from the penalty spot, his sixth goal of the tournament, with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Reuters

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