Neymar's back injury leaves nation shocked and angered as Fifa consider action
Loss of star player from remainder of soccer's showpiece darkens the mood of host country
Neymar's exit from the World Cup due to a back injury left Brazilians shocked and angered, darkening the mood after the hosts' 2-1 win over Colombia in the quarter-finals had sparked nationwide celebrations.
The loss of their star player has dented Brazil's chances of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup, and first on home soil, and left Brazilians wondering who can replace him for Tuesday's semi-final showdown with Germany.
As football's governing body, Fifa, said its disciplinary committee was assessing the tackle on Neymar, by Colombian defender Juan Zuniga, which resulted in the injury, Brazil's main newspapers all focused on the striker's plight, sidelining accounts of the team's victory.
The papers published blow-by-blow diagrams of the play in which Neymar was kneed in the back by Zuniga.
The Fifa Disciplinary Committee is analysing all the elements provided, the videos and the match reports, and will decide whether or not to take action
"This is terrible news. The worst possible news. Neymar is so important to us," said student Fabian Ruiz, 19, walking with friends down a street in Belo Horizonte, all dressed in Brazil's trademark canary yellow shirts and quaffing beer from cans.
"Without him, the other players will have to fight more. It is going to be so difficult against Germany now."