At the great deception of millions of football fans worldwide, a number of top players will not take part in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
While some are injured, others are suspended. Each of the four semi-finalists - Argentina, Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands - will have at least one player unavailable.
This will make way for coaches to employ new tactics at the curiosity of pundits and the anxiety of the respective sets of supporters.
Here is the list of the stars who will have to follow their team's World Cup Last 4 battle as spectators instead of protagonists on the field of play:
Neymar - Brazil
The hopes of a nation were being carried by Neymar before his injury against Colombia. Brazil fouled James Rodriguez out of the match. Colombia replied in exactly the same manner. Juan Zuniga however perhaps did not intend to harm his opponent. He clashed with Neymar, his knee colliding with the Barcelona man's vertebra, breaking it.
Neymar did not rise from the pitch. He was stretchered off; the crowd could sense Brazil had lost its main man. Emotional interviews followed and a nation mourned. Even if Luiz Felipe Scolari is able to beat Germany again, Neymar will play no further part in the tournament.
Thiago Silva - Brazil
Silva is not injured; he is just suspended. Brazil's rough play warranted a suspension. Perhaps Julio Cesar was more worthy of it than Silva though. Brazil appealed; their appeal was turned down. David Luiz will now lead the side against Germany. Silva has had a very good tournament to date. He is essentially the leader of the back-line. The talented but slightly inconsistent Dante Bonfim of Bayern Munich is set to replace him.
Angel di Maria - Argentina
For half an hour against Switzerland, Argentina seemed to be more than just Lionel Messi and ten others. Angel di Maria had received the memo; he had joined the party. He scored the goal which took Argentina through to the World Cup quarterfinals. Against Belgium though, the attacker injured his thigh. Argentina held out and won 1-0 but Di Maria's absence against the Dutch is surely a big blow. His absence might be less of a factor than the next man on the list though.
Nigel de Jong - Netherlands
A Dutch side reliant on Arjen Robben, a few veterans and quite a few Eredivisie youngsters needed the experience and steel of Nigel de Jong to hold down the fort in midfield. The Dutch need discipline in order for Robben to have a free role. De Jong suffered a groin tear a few minutes into the match against Mexico. His exit clearly impacted the Dutch. Their performances, since his departure, have just not been the same.
Shkodran Mustafi - Germany
Mustafi had initially been dropped from the German squad. He received a call up following an injury to Marco Reus. He came on a substitute in two of the three group stage games and finally started against the Algerians. His performance was average at best. Mustafi's tournament ended on a sour note though as he tore muscle fibers on his left thigh. He was mostly used as a back-up in defense. He offered a very good option off the bench; Mustafi is the only player missing for the Germans in the semifinal against Brazil.
Watch the 2014 World Cup Semi-Final Argentina vs Netherlands
Don’t miss the highly anticipated match featuring South America's last hopefuls Argentina against Louis van Gaal's mighty Netherlands. Guided by captain Lionel Messi, the Argentines will do everything they possibly can to ensure they make the final which will be played at the Maracanã. The match kicks-off at 4pm EST / 1pm PST / 8pm GMT.
Check our complete and comprehensive global broadcast listings across all platforms (Internet, TV and Radio) Check Argentina vs Netherlands LIVE broadcast listings.
