The World Cup semi-finals begin tonight as hosts Brazil try to win without Neymar against Miroslav Klose’s Germany.

The World Cup semi-finals begin tonight as hosts Brazil try to win without Neymar against Miroslav Klose’s Germany.

It kicks off at 21.00 UK time (20.00 GMT) at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte and is a repeat of the 2002 Final, won 2-0 by Brazil in Yokohama.

The Selecao are still in shock after Neymar’s tournament was ended by a knee in the back from Colombian Juan Camilo Zuniga.

It left their top scorer with a fractured vertebra and recorded a tearful video message for the nation. Fans are expected to bring 60,000 Neymar masks to the stands in order to ensure his presence is still felt.

He’s not the only important figure missing for Brazil, as captain Thiago Silva is suspended and Willian also carrying a back injury.

Dante therefore comes in to partner David Luiz in central defence, while Luiz Gustavo returns from his ban to replace Paulinho and Bernard is the new face in attack.

Dani Alves is again dropped as right-back in favour of Roma veteran Douglas Maicon.

Germany have been impressive in this tournament and pushed France aside 1-0 with relative ease.

Miroslav Klose started that game and Lazio striker is again picked in favour of Andre Schurrle.

Per Mertesacker is benched again due to poor form, while Sampdoria defender Shkodran Mustafi is injured for the rest of the tournament.

The game will controversially be refereed by Marco Rodriguez Moreno, the Mexican official who sent off Claudio Marchisio and missed the Luis Suarez bite in Italy-Uruguay.

Brazil may be missing two key players, but they have won each of their last six World Cup semi-finals.

Brazil: Julio Cesar; Maicon, David Luiz, Dante, Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho; Bernard, Oscar, Hulk; Fred

Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes; Kroos, Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Muller, Klose

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