Brazil beats Colombia, loses Neymar

Brazil defeated Colombia 2-1 on goals from Thiago Silva and David Luiz while conceding only a penalty kick to James Rodriguez, but lost their best player to injury. Neymar took a knee to the back and was removed from the game in the 88th minute. A trip to the hospital revealed that he suffered a fractured vertebra and will be shelved for the remainder of the tournament.

Neymar will be out for the remainder of the World Cup with a fractured back

Thiago Silva scored off a Neymar corner kick after he was unmarked on his run to the far post in the 7th minute. David Luiz put the hosts up by 2 in the 68th minute when he scored a beautiful, curling free kick from 35 yards out.

Colombia got their goal from James Rodriguez from the penalty spot in the 80th minute. It was Rodriguez's sixth goal of the tournament, the most of any player, but in the end could not find an equalizer in the last ten minutes.

The hosts became the first team in World Cup history to win a game after going to penalty shots in the game prior.

Brazil will be facing Germany in the semifinal without their captain and top defender Thiago Silva, who is serving a yellow card suspension, as well as Neymar.

Neymar's production will be tough to replicate. He had four goals and an assist but also led his country in shots, chances created, and touches in the attacking half. Brazil will look to some inconsistent performers to come together to try to create offense. Fred, Oscar and Hulk as well as whoever coach Luiz Felipe Scolari selects to replace Neymar will all need to have big games against a tough German defense of the hosts want to reach the final.