Brazil see themselves at the most important phase of the tournament having to play star-studded Germany next. But, will have their hopes somewhat lost as Neymar, who has been the most important player of the squad is set to miss the rest of the World Cup following a fractured vertebra.

Neymar, who was Brazil’s top scorer and in hunt for the Golden boot has scored 4 goals so far in this World Cup featuring in all of Brazil’s matches.

The Brazilian star forward had a quite game and was substituted on the 88th minute as he was kneed by Colombian defender Juan Zuniga which resulted the injury and was left in tears as he was stretched off the pitch.

Brazilian Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said: “Neymar was going to be hunted. For three matches that has been happening.”

Likewise, Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told Brazil’s SportTV: “Unfortunately, he’s not going to be able to play. He is very, very sad.” “It’s not serious in the sense that it doesn’t need surgery, but he’ll need to immobilize it to recover,” he added.

After the match, Scolari was even furious that Zuniga’s act went unpunished. Likewise, Zuniga himself said that he had no intention in harming the player, but was doing his regular defending duty.

Brazil play Germany on 8th July at the Belo Horizonte and will also be without their captain Thiago Silva, who is ruled out due to second yellow card booking.