World Cup 2014 Report: Brazil into semi-final but problems mount up

Neymar was stretchered off late in Brazil's victory over Colombia

They once again made hard work of matters but Brazil are through to the semi-final of the World Cup thanks to a dramatic win over Colombia, but with at least one, and possibly two of their stars out for the next game how much further can they go...

Brazil are now the firm 3.185/40 favourites to win the World Cup following a 2-1 victory over Colombia in a pulsating game in Fortaleza, this coming just hours after Germany had defeated France 1-0 in a quarter final that won't live long in the memory.

An incredible 29m was matched on Big Phil Scolari's men at less than 2.01/1 in the Match Odds market and those who were on the hosts had central defensive partnership Thiago Silva and David Luiz to thank for the victory.

On a day of big-price goalscorers Silva was matched at 50.049/1 to open the scoring and at 18.017/1 to score at anytime during the game, while Luiz was matched at 24.023/1 to find the back of the net which he did in spectacular fashion with a 30-yard free-kick midway through the second half.

But with Brazil 2-0 up and looking ahead to the semi-final events started to take a turn for the worse. First Silva picked up a yellow card meaning that he will miss the semi-final, then James Rodriguez scored from the penalty spot to give the Colombians a lifeline, and perhaps the most significant aspect, Neymar was stretchered off with just minutes to go and must now be a serious doubt to play in the next game.

Rodriguez bows out of the World Cup with a total of six goals and four assists in his five games and is available to back at 2.526/4 to win the Golden Boot.

Thomas Muller (7.613/2) will hope to add to his four-goal tally in the semi-final after his Germany side beat France thanks to a solitary goal from centre-back Mats Hummels - matched at 65.064/1 in the First Goalscorer market.

Germany are available to back at 3.9n/a to lift the trophy and will face Brazil in the last four on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte.