Philipp Lahm 'especially sorry' Neymar will be missing for Brazil

Germany captain Philipp Lahm has said that he is "especially sorry" for Neymar after the Brazil forward was ruled out for the rest of the World Cup with a back injury.

The Barcelona forward had scored four goals prior to his nation's 2-1 victory over Colombia in the quarter-final on Friday, but the 22-year-old was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after picking up a back injury following a collision with Juan Camilo Zuniga.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva will also miss the game through suspension, but rather than revel in the prospect of facing a weakened Brazil side, Lahm has said that it will be a shame not to face the hosts at full strength.

"First of all, it is a pity that both are missing," he is quoted as telling Bild am Sonntag by Goal.com.

"I'm especially sorry for Neymar. To miss a semi-final at a home World Cup through injury is a bitter blow.

"In a World Cup you always intend to compete with the best. That's why I would have preferred to play against Brazil with Neymar, but I believe that Brazil has enough players who can step into the breach for him."

Brazil and Germany will face each other in the first World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.