Brazilian Star, Neymar To Miss World Cup After Breaking Back Vertebra In 2-1 Win Over Colombia

Brazil's team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar says Neymar will miss the rest of the World Cup after breaking a vertebra during the team's quarterfinal win over Colombia. Neymar was kneed in the back by Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga in the second half of Brazil's 2-1 win, and was in tears when he was carried off the field on a stretcher to a private clinic.

''Along with the rest of Brazil I'm hoping for the recovery of our greatest player,'' Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff wrote on Twitter.
Brazil will definitely be without Silva for Tuesday's match against Germany in Belo Horizonte. The captain must sit out after getting his second yellow card of the tournament for impeding Colombia goalkeeper, David Ospina.
Silva gave Brazil the lead in the seventh minute, scoring with his left knee after a corner from Neymar passed through the Colombian defense. He celebrated the goal by pointing to the emblem on his jersey and shouting, ''This is Brazil, this is Brazil.''
David Luiz added the second from a free kick in the 69th, sending a swerving long-range shot off the inside of his foot and into the top of the net.
Colombia got one back in the 80th. James Rodriguez scored his tournament-leading sixth goal from the penalty spot after Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar brought down substitute Carlos Bacca inside the area.
''This is a very tough moment for us,'' Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said. ''We always had the dream of winning this match even though we knew Brazil would be a very tough opponent. We knew how decisive this was, and that any mistake would cost us.''
Colombia was coming off four straight wins, playing some of the most impressive football of the tournament. And the Colombians, playing in the quarterfinals for the first time, had entered the match after scoring 11 goals, second only to the Netherlands.