Neymar back injury ends his World Cup stint

Agence France-Presse

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Neymar back injury ends his World Cup stint
The 22-year-old football star will be out for the remainder of the World Cup - a huge blow to the title hopes of host nation Brazil

FORTALEZA, Brazil – Striker Neymar was ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup on Friday, dealing host nation Brazil a crushing blow just hours after they battled through to a semifinal showdown againt Germany.

A pulsating opening day of quarterfinal action saw Brazil advance to the last four with a 2-1 victory over Colombia after Germany defeated old rivals France 1-0 at the Maracana Stadium.

But Brazil’s bruising win over Colombia was immediately overshadowed by news that Neymar would miss the rest of the tournament after suffering a fractured vertebra.

The 22-year-old was carried off grimacing in agony after an aerial collision with Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga towards the end of the contest. Neymar got a knee to the back.

“The exam showed he suffered a fracture of the third vertebra” in his back, Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said.

The Barcelona superstar has been integral to Brazil’s World Cup campaign so far, scoring 4 goals during the World Cup hosts journey to the last four.

His injury is bound to focus attention on the performance of Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo, who allowed several rugged challenges from both sides go unpunished throughout Friday’s game.

Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari fumed that Neymar had been targeted by opponents during the tournament.

“I have been saying for three matches that Neymar has been hunted, but all the other countries say it is not true and it is only their players that are hunted,” Scolari said.

Zuniga later expressed sympathy for Neymar, and insisted the injury was accidental.

“I’ve never tried to harm another player,” Zuniga said.

“When I’m on the pitch I’m there to defend my country and my shirt — but there’s no intention to hurt anyone.”

Brazil captain suspended

Brazil will also miss captain Thiago Silva in Tuesday’s semifinal in Belo Horizonte, after the defender picked up a yellow card against Colombia earning him a suspension.

Silva had earlier fired Brazil into an early 1-0 lead before David Luiz made it 2-0 with a thunderous long-range free-kick midway through the second half.

Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez — kicked repeatedly by Brazil’s players throughout — pulled a goal back from the penalty spot to set up a tense finale, but the hosts held on for the win.

Rodriguez, the tournament’s top scorer with 6 goals, left the field in tears after the defeat.

Brazil’s semifinal will see them play Germany in a repeat of the 2002 World Cup final won 2-0 by the South Americans.

It will only be the second time Brazil has met Germany at a World Cup.

Germany reached the semifinals for a record fourth straight time earlier Friday after a header from Mats Hummels helped beat France 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro.

“The next dream has come true,” said man-of-the-match Hummels.

“It’s unbelievable that it’s all going so well for us here at the World Cup. I hope that our journey won’t end soon and that we can make it back to compete here week next Sunday,” he added, referring to the July 13 final.

The quarterfinal matches continue Saturday when the Netherlands play Costa Rica and Belgium take on Argentina. – Rappler.com

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