Brazil's Neymar is carried away on a stretcher. - AP

FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP):

Brazil's team doctor says Neymar will miss the rest of the World Cup after breaking a vertebra during the team's quarter-final win over Colombia.

Neymar was kneed in the back by Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga in the second half of Brazil's 2-1 win, and was in tears when he was carried off the field on a stretcher.

He was taken to a local clinic and team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after the match that the star striker had broken his third vertebra.

Neymar is Brazil's biggest star and has scored four goals for the team so far in the tournament.

Brazil plays Germany in the semi-finals on Tuesday.