Will Big Phil's Plan B work?

Brazilians flip their mind from the numbing shock to a new resolve. True, it's a terrible blow to lose Neymar. But they aren't ready to take another Maracanazo, the tragedy they suffered back in 1950 at home.    

Juan Schiaffino scores Uruguay's first goal past Brazilian keeper Barbosa in World Cup Final July 16, 1950, at Maracana Stadium, Rio De Jainero in Brazil. Uruguay upset predictions of an easy victory for Brazil by winning this final match of the tournament 2-1 with goals from Schiaffino and Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia, in front of an estimated attendance of 200,000 disbelieving Brazilians at the newly built venue. Photo: Getty Images

It's another July, some 64 years after. But their pain is still intense, and hearts still bleed. Brazil must have to win, at least for once, the World Cup as a host to get rid of the nightmare that an unheralded Uruguayan inflicted on them in the final.

Things might not be perfect, but a look back at Brazil since it last hosted the #WorldCup shows how far it's come http://t.co/5CHmXVJoC7

— The Conversation (@ConversationUK) July 7, 2014

Brazil needed just a draw, and had everything ready to celebrate their first world championship at the cathedral they have built and called Maracana. But Alcides Ghiggia appeared from nowhere to hit the winning goal for Uruguay just 11 minutes from the final whistle. One Ghiggia strike silenced to near death the 200,000 cheering fans inside Maracana and millions outside.

BREAKING: Horrible news for Brazil as Neymar is OUT of the rest of the World Cup with a fractured vertebrae. pic.twitter.com/tE6IjWUYTS

— Brazil - #WorldCup (@Brazil) July 5, 2014

Brazil have gone on to win the five World Cups since then, but the Maracanazo tragedy continues to haunt them. They knew that their young talisman Neymar has the ability to relieve them of the pain. They cried and cursed Zuniga when the Colombian's wayward knee-charge threw Neymar out of the World Cup. The shock has, however, intensified their thirst for the Cup further. They want this seriously depleted team to win the Cup for Brazil and Neymar as well.

David Luiz gestures with Marcelo (R) during a training session of the Brazilian national football team at the squad's Granja Comary training complex, on July 07, 2014 in Teresopolis, 90 km from downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Getty Images

But can a good team with no great players go all the way to lift the cup on a tidal wave of willpower and hope? We will have to wait till early morning Wednesday to see what plan Luiz Felipe Scholari has up his sleeve and how Solecao play without Neymar.
The match will certainly be an epic battle, with the two most successful teams in the World Cup history facing each other for only the second time ever in the tournament. The South American and European giants have each played seven World Cup finals, and together, they have won eight trophies.
Courtesy to the strange twist of fate, the two rivals are not in equal status this time. The two camps are experiencing completely two different situations. Everyone in the German side is fit and kicking while Brazil limp into the semifinals without their captain Thiago Silva and best player Neymar.

"O sonho de ser campeão mundial não acabou" - @neymarjr #ForçaNeymar #OSonhoNaoAcabou #EmBuscaDoHexa pic.twitter.com/AlvRnb8xDE

— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) July 5, 2014

Can Brazil win the World Cup without Neymar? Of course, Brazil still can.
With their back against the wall, Brazil will play like a team. They will go on to prove no player is bigger than the team and no individual can do it alone. Germany too will have no answer to Big Phil's alternative strategy.  Under his Plan B, Neymar's team-mates will buckle down, refocus and go and win it for him, and an expectant nation.
I can see Brazil in Maracana for the final. Have nice flight home, Germany.

#WORLDCUP SEMI-FINALS: #BRA v #GER #BRAGER #NED v #ARG #NEDARG #joinin - http://t.co/NGFC7EQGE6 pic.twitter.com/Crm1ILHQs5

— FIFAWorldCup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 5, 2014