Image source, BBC Sport

In the absence of the injured Neymar, Brazil must now replace a man who not only has 54 caps at the tender age of 22, but who finds the net most regularly of their four recognised strikers.

Fred also has an impressive goal average, but the 30-year-old has been criticised for lacklustre performances in the tournament.

Manager Luiz Filipe Scolari has a selection dilemma ahead of Tuesday's semi-final against Germany.

Ahead of Belgium's clash with Argentina, our colleagues at BBC News have been looking at how a divided country united for the World Cup with social media bridging the divide.

"Neymar, hope you recover soon, friend! Get well soon my friend," writes Argentina striker and Nemar's Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi on Facebook., external

Brazil, historically so easy on the eye and flamboyant, have seemingly adopted a gritty approach to gaining success at the World Cup.

With Costa Rica and Netherlands still having to play later today in the last quarter-final, Luiz Filipe Scolari's side currently top the fouls committed table.

Image source, BBC Sport

Falcao's frustration with referee Carlos Velasco Carballo is seemingly shared by a number of you.

The Spaniard oversaw a fixture with the most fouls in the tournament - 54 - yet issued just four yellow cards, all in the final 30 minutes of the match.

Stephen Day:, external Rodriguez was kicked all night so it was obvious Neymar was going to get kicked. The ref failed to protect any of the players.

Jez Hillam:, external Have sympathy for Neymar, but for Scolari to complain is rich considering his tactics vs Alexis Sanchez and James Rodriguez.

David Luiz's sensational free-kick, which ultimately carried Brazil into the semi-final, attracted 259,000 tweets per minute.

The Selecao's match with Colombia was the subject of about 12.5 million interactions on Twitter - the second-highest figure of the tournament.

The most retweeted post came from injured Colombia striker Radamel Falcao., external His message, which read "for the next game remember to call the ref. He did not come today", has been retweeted 150,000 times.

If you have had a late night and are just waking to the news of Neymar's World Cup-ending injury, our good friends who cut video for us here at the BBC have cut a clip for you of the moment the incident occurred.

It would be fair to say Juan Zuniga left a bit on the Brazil hero.

We have been asking for your reaction to the news Neymar is out of the tournament. Can Brazil still win it? Tweet us on #bbcworldcup.

Jon Murray:, external Neymar is a huge blow but it gives the opportunity to an Oscar or Hulk to be main man, the crowd will need to support even more.

Pinda Mann:, external With or without Neymar, Brazil won't beat Germany. Thiago is a bigger miss. Germany vs Netherlands will be the final.

James Scarisbrick:, external I bet Neymar wishes he was only bitten now...

Image source, Fred Facebook

Brazil striker Fred on Facebook:, external "We have one more reason to play with our heart in this Cup: Neymar, rest assured that our group loves you and will give life to win this title for you. You were and continue to be the ace and the soul of our team. The whole of Brazil is praying for you!"

Neymar suffered a broken vertebra in his back in the 88th minute of Brazil's win over Colombia when Juan Zuniga collided with the 22-year-old.

• Messages of support issued in support of Brazilian forward Neymar who is ruled out of the World Cup

• Striker suffers a fractured bone in his back after heavy challenge

• Brazil beat Colombia 2-1 to set up last-four meeting with Germany

• Argentina v Belgium and Netherlands v Costa Rica in today's last quarter-finals

On day 24 of the World Cup we will know the full semi-final line-up.

Belgium and Argentina play in Brasilia in the first of today's games for a place in the last four, before Netherlands take on Costa Rica.

The meeting between Louis van Gaal's side and the tournament's surprise team takes place in Salvador which has been the place to be for goals in this World Cup with 24 in five games so far.

For all the info on today's matches, see our Today at the World Cup feature.

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton tweets:, external "As much as I think Neymar is over rated, I am genuinely gutted for him. Hearing the news somebody's World Cup is over due to stupid challenge it is a sickener. Wish him a full and speedy recovery.

"Huge blow to Brazil as they have nothing in forward areas now. German should progress."

Germany opened the scoring with their first attempt on target against France and only worked goalkeeper Hugo Lloris twice more during the 90 minutes.

Their win, courtesy of Mats Hummels' header, makes them the first team in history to reach the semi-finals in four consecutive World Cups.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Twitter: "Neymar, get well soon. A warm hug."

Neymar's loss will be a huge loss for a Brazil side that have been totally reliant on the Barcelona forward at the 2014 World Cup.

His contribution has been marked both statistically and mentally, with an undoubted positivity surrounding a player adored by the Brazilian public.

The Selecao will be left with forward options which include strikers Hulk and Fred, who has one goal at the tournament.

Germany beat France 1-0 to set up a World Cup semi-final clash with Brazil on Tuesday, with defender Mats Hummels the match winner.

Coach Joachim Low believes Brazil will have an important advantage over the three-time champions. "The South Americans are fighting for their lives here," said Low. "They will have a home advantage."

Brazil's victory over Colombia means they will face Germany in the semi-finals. Germany themselves defeated France 1-0 but former England winger Chris Waddles believes Brazil would be the worst team to win the World Cup. Do you agree?

"They don't let anybody start passing the ball. They just stop the game when they think there is going to be a problem and they will go and obstruct the opposition," Waddle told BBC Sport.

The moment Brazil's World Cup hopes took a crushing blow. Neymar, a national hero, is clattered by Juan Zuniga in the 88th minute of the hosts' win over Colombia.

What next for Neymar? What next for Brazil? Stay with us for all the reaction.

Image source, PA

• Brazilian forward Neymar ruled out of the World Cup

• Striker suffers a fractured bone in his back after heavy challenge

• Brazil defeat Colombia to set up last-four meeting with Germany

• Argentina v Belgium and Netherlands v Costa Rica in today's final quarter-finals

Phil McNulty
BBC chief football writer in Brazil

"Inevitably, given that Neymar has become the public face of Brazil's campaign, the television screens were dominated by the challenge and its consequences. They must now do without the one player regarded as close to irreplaceable."

Read more analysis and insight from Phil on Neymar's injury in his latest blog.