By Ian Ladyman Brazil are in danger of ruining the narrative of their own World Cup. This has been a joyful three-and-a-half weeks in South America and Brazil’s place in their own final would not do a romantic plot-line any harm. Nevertheless, the host nation’s reaction to the loss of their best player last Friday has begun to  take a little of the shine from their presence in the last four. We can understand Brazilian  sadness at the injury to Neymar. The impish forward is the star player in a flawed team and, for a while, looked the best chance Brazil had of lifting the trophy in Rio on Sunday.
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Neymar's injury suffered in Brazil's win against Colombia has ruled him out of the World Cup
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Hosts now face Germany and a potential World Cup final without their star man
Tearful: Neymar sent an emotional message to the @placeholder public after his injury