Brazil yesterday paid a heavy price for their 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Colombia in Fortaleza, with star man Neymar suffering a fractured vertebra that will cause him to miss the rest of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

After being carried off in tears on a stretcher, Neymar was taken to the city’s Hospital Sao Carlos, where it was confirmed that his third vertebra had been broken.

“Neymar had a scan, which confirmed he had fractured his third vertebra,” said Brazilian Football Association (CBF) doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. “In terms of the recovery process, it’s a fracture that heals quickly, but unfortunately he’ll be in no condition to play next week.”

Lasmar added: “It’s not serious in the sense that it requires surgery, but he’s in pain and he’ll need to immobilise it to recover. He’ll have to have it immobilised with a belt for a few weeks to be able to get back to full mobility.”

Neymar sustained the injury in the closing stages of the match, under a challenge from a Colombian defender. The sight of the stricken No10 being carried off and then taken to hospital for scans dampened the spirits of the Brazil fans as they celebrated their side’s qualification for the last four.

Neymar has been one of A Seleção’s stand-out performers at the World Cup, scoring four goals, but will now have to watch from the sidelines when Brazil take on Germany in next Tuesday’s semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

Germany had earlier yesterday picked a semi-final ticket after a Mats Hummels header in the 13^th minute ensured a 1-0 quarter-final triumph over France at the iconic Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

In the remaining two quarter-final to be decided today, Argentina take on Belgium at the Estadio Nacional, Brasilia, while Netherlands tackle Costa Rica at the Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador. The tournament started with 32 teams on June 12 and ends with the final on July 13.

•Photo courtesy of FIFA and Getty Images shows injured Neymar writhing in pain during Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final defeat of Colombia . . . last night in Fortaleza.

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