World Cup “final-four”; The last hurdles are always the toughest

Brazil will now be without Neymar for the rest of the tournament – a massive loss for them in their bid to lift their 6th World Cup trophy. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

"Team: Brazil (A Selecao) World Cup pedigree: 7-time finalist (’50, ’58, ’62, ’70, ’94, ’98, ’02), 5-time winner (’58, ’62, ’70, ’94, ’02) How they got to the semifinals: winners of Group A; defeating Chile and Colombia in knockout stage Preferred formation: 4-2-3-1 (Cesar; Marcelo, Luiz, Silva, Alves; Gustavo, Paulinho; Neymar, Oscar, Hulk; Fred) Key Players this tournament: Neymar, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Julio Cesar Key Absences for the semifinals and finals: Neymar (out for remainder of the World Cup), Thiago Silva (suspended for yellow card accumulation)"

What do they need to do to win it all?

Most of us have been talking about how this Brazil team is missing something.  It is true that when you look at their XI or watch them play this summer, there is a clear lack of Joga Bonito, but in the end, has that been such a bad thing?  They topped their group containing quality sides in Mexico and Croatia, and then went on to dispatch a pair of tournament dark horses in Chile and Colombia.  They have not been winning pretty, and they have not been dominant – but they have been winning.  There are no great teams this summer, but there have been quite a few good teams, and that includes Brazil.  For them to win it all? They do not need to change a thing.  They have the entire nation behind them, an undefeated record at home for 39 years and a new side to their game that contains steel and grit that we have not seen from them for some time.  It won’t be pretty, but it’s continued to be effective.

What is their biggest hurdle?

Clearly, it’s the fact that they now without Neymar for the rest of the tournament.  Sitting on four goals in the tournament before his horrific injury that nearly left him paralyzed for life, Brazil must now ask themselves where will the goals come from?  Neither Hulk, Fred or Jo have yet to find the back of the net, and David Luiz is second on the team in goals.  Whether Willian or Bernard replace Neymar, talented they are, they still aren’t Neymar.  The entire team will have to step up to replace them if they want to lift their record 6th World Cup, let alone get past Germany in the semifinals.