Brazil is inching closer to being just the seventh host country to win the World Cup but their win against Colombia was bittersweet as they lost their star centerpiece, Neymar.
via Sports Illustrated:
Neymar is out for the World Cup with a fractured vertebra, which he suffered in the final minutes of Brazil’s 2-1 quarterfinal win over Colombia on Friday. Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed to reporters at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza that the early prognosis is that Neymar will need 2-to-3 weeks to recover.
The injury occurred as Neymar took a knee to the back from Camilo Zuniga and went down in pain immediately, with Brazil nursing a one-goal advantage. He had to be stretchered off of the field in the 88th minute, with his hand over his eyes, as his teammates finished off the victory.
Brazil will also be without their captain Thiago Silva who is suspended for their semifinal game against Germany after a yellow card accumulation.
