Make no mistake, with the exception of early elimination, Neymar’s injury is the worst thing that could have happened to Brazil at this World Cup.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side have battled their way into the semi-finals, winning few friends along the way with their pragmatic, physical approach and benefitting from some extremely liberal refereeing.

However, Neymar provided that historical link for the Selecao. The pressure on him leading into the tournament was immense but the 22-year-old has managed to carry that burden with maturity.

Married to that, he has been Brazil’s sole source of ‘o jogo bonito’ – the beautiful game. Oscar impressed in the opener against Croatia but since then Neymar has provided the rare flickers of inspiration to find some attachment between this Brazil, and the great sides in green and gold of the past.

But now he is gone, and while it does not change the essence of Scolari’s gameplan as much as, say Argentina losing Lionel Messi, Brazil’s chances of breaking down semi-final opponents Germany look distinctly bleak.

Pele reminded us all he was injured during the second game of the 1962 tournament in Chile and Brazil rallied to claim the Jules Rimet Trophy.

The difference between that Brazil and the 2014 version is that 52 years ago manager Aymore Moreira still had Garrincha, Vava, Amarildo and Mario Zagallo in attack. Scolari has Fred, Jo, Hulk and Oscar.

The latter pair have at least showed signs they can deliver at least one grand performance at this tournament, the other two continue to offer nothing of merit.

Pele’s absence in ‘62 created initial concerns due to the average age of that Brazil squad. Without the 21-year-old did they possess the necessary verve to trouble the world’s best?

But after his muscle injury against Czechoslovakia, the Selecao went on to record wins over Spain, England, Chile before triumphing over Czechoslovakia in the final, with 12 goals in the process.

It’s difficult to envisage Fred, Jo or Hulk having a similar impact as the forefathers of ‘62. Especially when Scolari’s approach is based on frustration of the opposition over flamboyance.

Willian, Ramires or, the more wildcard selection, Bernard are likely to come in for Neymar. The Chelsea pair offer energy and positional discipline but only further reinforce Scolari’s ideology.

In a World Cup semi-final, that is undeniably the attitude to have, but on Tuesday they will be required to pick the lock of the best and most all-round defence they have encountered so far.

Attacking, ambitious football has long been an outdated cliche surrounding the Brazilian national team, and the romanticising of samba-style more of a western obsession than anything else.

But with everything on the line, Scolari may well need to look to the traditions and ways of the past. The problem for him is the only individual likely of delivering such a brand of football can’t play.

Against Colombia, Brazil kicked and barged their sleeker South American rivals into submission. Expect more of the same against Germany.