The collision with Colombia defender Juan Zuniga has ended Neymar's World Cup
Brazil's Neymar is carried away after getting injured during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia. Photo: AP
Forteleza: Brazil star Neymar was ruled out of the World Cup here Friday with a back injury, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said. Lasmar told reporters Neymar suffered a fracture in the third verterbra of his back during Brazil's bruising 2-1 quarter-final victory over Colombia. "The exam showed he suffered a fracture of the third vertebra" in his back, Lasmar said.
Colombia defender Juan Zuniga kneed the 22-year-old Neymar in a crunching tackle and the Barcelona player was stretchered off in agony in the closing minutes of the game in Forteleza.
The injury and the suspension of captain Thiago Silva for the semi-final against Germany overshadowed a sensational David Luiz goal that sealed victory in one of the most physical games seen at this World Cup.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari fumed that Neymar has been "hunted" throughout the tournament and that no punishment was given for the tackle on him. "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."
Silva was booked for a second time in the tournament for impeding a clearance by Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.
But in Zuniga's case "there was not even a yellow card and Thiago got a yellow card for nothing," Scolari said.
Earlier coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had said that Neymar was major doubt for Brazil's semi-final with Germany after being stretchered off in Friday's win over Colombia. Neymar was carried off grimacing in agony after a heavy challenge from Colombia defender Juan Camillo Zuniga toward the end of Brazil's 2-1 win in Fortaleza.
The 22-year-old was whisked to hospital for tests after the incident and Scolari said afterwards was doubtful about his recovery time.
Injury to Neymar have came as a massive blow to Brazil's hopes of beating Germany and advancing to the final. The Barcelona superstar has been integral to Brazil's World Cup campaign so far, scoring four goals en route to the last four.
Usain Bolt tweeting about Neymar's injury
Sad hearing the news @neymarjr ..Have a speedy recovery
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 5, 2014
( Source : AFP )
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