Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men are still clearly troubled by the injury to their biggest star which has cast a big shadow over their World Cup semi final with Germany on Tuesday night.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva, banned for the semi final after being booked, also called Colombia’s Juan Zuniga a “coward” for the challenge which left Neymar with a broken bone in his back which has ruled him out for up to six weeks.

Silva also said Brazil team psychiatrist Regina Brandao has spoken to members of the squad to help them try and prepare mentally after losing their talisman.

“We just talk about a lot of things – Neymar being one of them – but she emphasised we all have to feel at ease. Silva said

“Neymar has already done what he had to do. Now it’s up to the other 22 to go out there and do everything for victory. He wanted to be here.

“And now, a coward’s tackle – some people say it was normal, but I don’t think it was… That kind of challenge isn’t done. You can’t get the ball from someone by putting your knee into a player’s back, it’s not normal. But there you are.”

Skipper Silva will miss the semi-final with David Luiz taking the armband.

Scolari must decide whether to bring in Willian for the injured Neymar or go more defensive with three midfielders Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho and Fernandinho.

But the Brazil boss insisted that however he approaches the game that he is convinced Brazil can reach the final.

Scolari said: “If I play with three defensive midfielders, that’s one option. I will give the full-backs more freedom, obviously.

“If I have two players in there, the full-backs will have less freedom but I might be able to add something that imposes a bit more damage on Germany. Those are my options.

“We’ve been working a lot to overcome obstacles since the beginning. We had to overcome problems and weaknesses to get to where we wanted, to get through the group and the round of 16 and so forth. We continue to do that.

“We have to get through the semi-final to get to where we want to be. Tomorrow, though, we’ll be without Neymar: one of our references and one of the best players in the world.

“But we have another 22 players who have been handpicked and capped because we know they are special. We were speaking about being on the bench yesterday. Why is it special? To provide a special moment. To go on to the pitch to make an impact, that’s special.

“Those guys who come on are special. They can make a big difference. This is what we are conveying to our players. We will miss Neymar, but we have a team who can overcome the difficulties and go on into the next round.

“We’ll play for us, for Neymar, but above all we’ll go after the goal the group has had since the beginning: to qualify for the final.”

German magazine Der Spiegel claimed Wilson Raj Perumal correctly forecast the outcome of the Group A game.

Perumal, a Singapore businessman, said he had made an “an informal assessment of the behaviour of the Cameroon team” after the game.

Der Spiegel insist his comments were made before kick-off.

Der Spiegel told the BBC: “We firmly stand by our assertion, that Mr Perumal wrote in a Facebook chat some hours before the World Cup match Croatia v Cameroon, that the result of the match will be a 4-0-victory for Croatia and that a player of Cameroon will get a red card in the first half.”

Perumal, who was jailed in Finland in 2011 for fixing games, disputes the timing of the conversation and apologised to the Cameroon Football Federation for any inadvertent offence caused.

Mario Madzukic celebrates after scoring against Cameroon

He said: “The Facebook chat with the Der Spiegel journalist took place a few days after the match. At no time did I suggest I had any way of corroborating or substantiating what was meant to be an educated guess based on my extensive match-fixing experience.”

Cameroon lost all their Group A games, including the 4-0 defeat by Croatia in which their midfielder Alex Song was sent off in the 40th minute.

The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), who work with betting regulators, operators and monitoring agencies to look at sport integrity, revealed there was “no observable suspicious betting on this match”.

Wilson Raj Perumal from Singapore is a convicted match-fixer

In a book published in April, Perumal claims he arranged for players from one team at the Beijing Olympics to ensure their side took the kick-off in two separate matches

The book also alleges Perumal influenced qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

ICSS director Chris Eaton said that since his arrest in 2011, Perumal has “gradually been giving accurate information on global match-fixing. He has also given a great deal of disinformation”.

But he said that the seriousness of the case meant it should receive “a swift, strong and, most importantly, an international and co-ordinated investigation”.

The allegations of “fraud” by “seven bad apples” are being investigated by the ethics committee of the Cameroon Football Federation.

World governing body Fifa did not comment on whether it was looking into the issue as football’s world governing body did not want to “compromise any possible investigations”.

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They say that a World Cup only really comes to life if its hosts thrive on the field.

Think France in 1998 or South Korea in 2002. Both great tournaments, both with impressive home performances.

But the theory doesn’t always hold, as the last ten days in Brazil proved. This World Cup started with a bang, capturing the imagination both here and further afield, but it did so despite the Selecao’s stuttering displays against Croatia and Mexico.

It felt as though the home fans were waiting for something. A spark from their own heroes. An excuse to really cut loose. The party had begun, but Brazil were not the life and soul of it. Not yet, at least. But on Monday that changed thanks to one man.

His name was on the lips and the jerseys of most of the fans who turned up to the Mane Garrincha stadium. The ground – the most expensive of Brazil’s World Cup arenas – was awash with gold and green and buzzed with anticipation at the team news. That turned into a deafening wall of sound when the announcer reached Brazil’s number ten.

Neymar, make no mistake, is the darling of this side. The Barcelona star is the Selecao’s talisman and get-out-of-jail plan. He showed it against Croatia, levelling the score with a moment of magic and adding another from the spot. Here, in a stadium named after one of the most precocious dribblers the game has ever seen, he was in the mood to put on a show.

And how Brazil needed him to, especially in the first half. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men once more struggled for fluency, Paulinho in particular chasing shadows in midfield. Things improved with the introduction of Fernandinho but the verve of Confederations Cup campaign seems to have seeped away. A better side than Cameroon would have punished them here.

Still: Neymar. The forward notched his first 16 minutes after another of those tear-jerking anthems Brazil are becoming known for, guiding a first-time shot past Charles Itandje from Luiz Gustavo’s cross. Cue pandemonium and chants of “the champions are back”.

Matthew LewisDavid Luiz of Brazil (L) celebrates his team’s third goal, scored by Fred, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Cameroon and Brazil at Estadio Nacional on June 23, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Then, after Joel Matip had silenced the crowd with the equaliser, Brazil’s golden boy went one better. Neymar cut in from the left, slalomed past his man and, with everyone expecting him to go across goal, dragged his finish into the other corner. It was a moment of intuitive brilliance, utterly Brazilian. Garrincha, you sense, would have approved.

The tricks then started to appear, Neymar lifting the ball over the head of his marker and trying backheels. That confidence spread through the side and Brazil pulled clear after the break. Fred, criticised coming into this game, opened his account for the tournament with a simple header, before Fernandinho completed a slick move with a poked finish to make it 4-1.

Neymar was watching from the touchline by that stage, Scolari having withdrawn him on 71 minutes with an eye on challenges to come. Few would argue that he had not earnt his rest.

While await in the round of 16 and will be no pushovers. But with their star player in such vibrant form, Brazil will feel that the wind is in their sails at last. Now the party can really begin.

“We are trying to find our own style,” Lamouchi told FIFA. “We’ve been working together and building this group for two years now. We’ve got to know each other and want to stamp our mark on the pitch.”

2377249_full-lndSpeaking of which, there is no question that the squad has the coach’s fingerprints all over it: a blend of up-and-coming talents making their debut at the FIFA World Cup and seasoned veterans, it is a group forged in his image, with youth and wisdom rolled into one.

Lamouchi’s work has well and truly blown away any doubts that may have arisen when he was appointed as Francois Zahoui’s replacement back in May 2012.

Though this is his maiden coaching job, he is already on the verge of history: a win in their last group-stage fixture would ensure Les Eléphants qualify for the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time. His fledgling rein has been characterised by bold decisions, such as relegating Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure to the bench and handing a bigger role to youngsters such as Serge Aurier, who has taken Brazil 2014 by storm.

From the look of the west Africans’ form so far at this summer’s tournament, Lamouchi’s approach is paying dividends. After a superb 2-1 victory over Japan in their opener, their slick display against Colombia deserved better than a 2-1 defeat.

“I was happy with our performance [against the Cafeteros]. I think there can be great victories in defeat and vice versa. If we play like that, we shouldn’t lose too many matches,” said the Lyon-born tactician, who is of Tunisian descent. “And our opponents won’t all necessarily have the quality that Colombia do,” he added.

The President of Ghana’s Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, was exposed after he was filmed agreeing to the team playing in rigged international matches, in return for payment of $170,000 per match.

The Telegraph and Channel 4’s Dispatches launched a six-month investigation into match-fixing, after receiving information that suggested that some football associations were working with criminal gangs to rig scores in international games.

president-ghanian-faReporters from The Telegraph went under cover, claiming to represent an investment company that wanted to “sponsor” matches during the tournament.

Christopher Forsythe, a registered Fifa agent and Obed Nketiah, a senior figure in the Ghanaian FA, reportedly bragged about employing corrupt officials who would rig matches played by Ghana.

The president of the country’s football association then met the undercover reporter and finalised a contract which would see the team play in the rigged matches, in return for payment.

The contract stated that it would cost $170,000 (£100,000) for each match organised by the fixers involving the Ghanaian team, and would allow the bogus investment firm to appoint match officials and referees.

“You [the company] will always have to come to us and say how you want it to go…the result,” said Mr Forsythe. “That’s why we will get the officials that we have greased their palms, so they will do it. If we bring in our own officials to do the match…You’re making your money.”

“You have to give them [the referees] something… they are going to do a lot of work for you, so you have to give them something,” said Mr Nketiah.

Mr Forsythe said that match fixing was “everywhere” in football and that he could even arrange rigged matches between Ghana and British teams. “The referees can change the matches every time. Even in England it does happen,” he said. “We will always choose associations/countries that we think we can corrupt their officials for all our matches.”

Mr Forsythe and Mr Nketiah then introduced the undercover reporters to Kwesi Nyantakyi, the president of the Ghana FA, during a meeting at a five-star hotel in Miami earlier this month ahead of a match with South Korea.

During the meeting, the president agreed to a contract that stated each match would cost the investment company $170,000 and that they could appoint the match officials for each game.

When they were later confronted about their operation, both Mr Forsythe and Mr Nketiah denied any involvement in a plot to fix matches. Mr Nketiah said: “These are false allegations and I will never in my life do such a thing.”

Mr Nyantakyi said that he had not read the contract and he did not know about the deal to fix games. He said that the proposed match would have been handled by a licensed Fifa match agent and that he was unaware that Mr Forsythe had demanded £30,000 for the football association.

Issuing a statement Mr Forsythe, said: “To be frank everything I told you about the match fixing was a figment of my own imagination because I am so naive that I don’t even know how matches are done. They were promises just to be able to get something off you.”

The Ghanaian FA announced it has asked the Ghana Police Service to investigate Mr Forsythe and Mr Nketiah for “misrepresenting the GFA with an attempt to defraud”.

The football body has also reported the matter to FIFA and CAF.

In a statement, it said: “We wish to assure the public that we will not tolerate such misrepresentations and we will seek strong sanctions against such individuals if such claims are found to be true.”

Last week saw the first convictions of criminals in the UK for attempting to rig football matches, following an earlier investigation by this newspaper.

Chann Sankaran and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, businessmen from Singapore, and Michael Boateng, a former professional footballer, were found guilty of match–fixing after a six-week trial.

Sankaran and Ganeshan were sentenced to five years and Boateng 18 months. Sankaran and Ganeshan were found to have links to the notorious international match fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, and were said to be attempting to establish a network of corrupt footballers in Britain.

Instances of match fixing ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa had prompted FIFA and its partners in the betting and law enforcement agencies to monitor all friendlies ahead of this World Cup.

The Desert Foxes took an unlikely lead after suicidal defending from Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen gifted the Africans that chance to take the lead from the spot.

Sofiane Feghouli obliged and sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way to put a shock result on the cards.

And for an hour Eden Hazard and Co had absolutely no answer to Algeria’s solid defensive unit.

But, while the tournament’s dark horses were in danger of being devoured by the Desert Foxes, Marc Wilmots rang the changes and threw on the big men in what was a very effective Plan B.

The United man popped up to head home from a free kick, turning the game within a matter of minutes.

Fellaini’s goal broke the hearts of a resolute Algeria and you could tell a winner for the Europeans was just around the corner.

Dries Mertens was on hand to smash home as the Algerians were caught out at the back.

All the talk before the game was of Belgium’s glittering of attacking talent, Adnan Januzaj didn’t even get off the bench, but in the end it was a bit of old fashioned brute force and an outstanding Plan B which got the Red Devils roaring in Brazil.

The Mexican keeper brought back memories of Gordon Banks’ dramatic save from Pele midway through the first half, scrambling across his goal to claw away Neymar’s header from Dani Alves’ cross.

The Ochoa save was the highlight of a disappointingly scrappy opening half as both teams found it hard to settle into any kind of rhythm.

Yet it was far from the bore draw of Monday night between Iran and Nigeria, as both teams went on the attack in the second half.

Neymar was again left cursing his luck in as Ochoa reacted to keep out his left footed effort before the keeper was in the right place at the right time to deny Thiago Silva from the striker’s cross.

An increasingly frustrated Brazil turned to dubious tactics in a result to win it, Marcelo taking a tumble in the box under little pressure from Raul Jimenez. But unlike in Brazil’s opener against Croatia, the referee was thankfully unmoved.

Having soaked up wave after wave of Brazilian pressure, Mexico came close to winning it themselves late on. Andres Guardardo flashed a shot over the bar with a minute remaining before Cesar kept out Jimenez’s late effort from going into the corner.

The two Group G foes have met in the previous two World Cups, with the Black Stars eliminating the US on both occasions, but the spoils fell to the Jurgen Klinsmann’s side in their opening World Cup game following late drama in Natal.

Andre Ayew thought he had rescued a point for the African side in the 82nd minute when he latched onto a Asamoah Gyan backheel in the penalty area and slotted past Tim Howard to cancel out Dempsey’s opener.

But the US were ahead again four minutes later thanks to a headed goal from half-time substitute John Brooks.

The US had conceded in the first five minutes in their previous two World Cup opening games, but got off to the perfect start in Natal when Clint Dempsey netted after 29 seconds.

The former Spurs man received the ball from Jermaine Jones, who had linked up well on the break with DaMarcus Beasley, jinked past a defender and then stroked to ball into the far corner, seeing his shot go in off the post.

Klinsmann’s side suffered a blow after 22 minutes when Jozy Altidore went down clutching a hamstring after chasing the ball on the left-hand flank. The Sunderland man had to be strethered off and was replaced by Aron Johannsson.

Dempsey himself was also in the wars, receiving a boot in the face, courtesy of John Boye. The American skipper was patched up and returned to the action soonafter.

Chelsea midfielder Christian Atsu was guilty of missing a host of long-range chances, as was former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan up front, as the African side pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but were ultimately made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal.

Though they were unable to navigate themselves through an examining group including world champions Spain and Copa America holders Uruguay, they did give a good account of themselves and thrill the flair-obsessed locals. That was evident when the Nigerians arrived at the team hotel in Campinas, where innumerable animated fans were on hand to greet them.

Here, in an interview with FIFA, Keshi reveals his surprise at that memorable welcome, discusses the way he believes football should be played, outlines what has let African sides down in the past, and weighs in on Iran, whom Nigeria will commence their FIFA World Cup campaign against in Curitiba on Monday.

FIFA: Stephen: You got such a great reception when you got to the team hotel. How pleased were you?

Very pleased. Very pleased because it was something that we were not expecting. And we came so late in the morning and they were still waiting for us just to give us a welcome back. It was good.

Are you satisfied with Nigeria’s level or can you still improve?

We can be much better. This squad is probably a year-plus old, it’s a new team. Most of the players are young. We’re still in the process of getting much better at what we do. In two years’ time we can be much better.

What can the team achieve under you?

I don’t know. My dream is to build a strong team for Nigerians and give these players a reason to be footballers. And to show the many players that are coming up behind that they can become somebody in football. That’s my dream and that’s it.

How important is the team’s unity?

It’s very important because I think that most of the teams that I played for in Europe, in Africa, always had this unity, this oneness. I think it’s a great weapon to have in your team because everyone is there, fighting for one another, playing for one another, which is a great thing. I’ve known this all my life as a football player, and now as a coach I’m experiencing the same thing. This is the way we got to qualify. Togo also qualified for the World Cup in 2006 because we were united. We had more spirit moving forward. It was the same thing in Mali when I was there as well. I think it’s working so I just keep on.

What’s Stephen Keshi’s football philosophy? What can we expect from a Stephen Keshi side?

I like attacking football. I don’t believe you need to sit back and load behind. You’ve got to be open and make the people come to the stadium. They spend so much money – they need to get value for it. Good, attacking football is what I like. Of course there must be purpose and discipline and togetherness to make the good football work.

Pele once said that an African side would win the World Cup by the end of the 20th century. Do you think African football is now on a par with Europe and South America?

I think so. If you look at most of the African players that are playing now for the African teams – the five African teams that have qualified for the World Cup – most of them are playing in Europe, playing against the same players as European players, South American players. I think it’s the same thing. The only problem, the only difference I think is the lack of concentration and the lack of discipline on the field. Tactical discipline, that is. If we could pay attention to our game plan and concentrate, I think we could do it because this is the same team that we play against week in, week out in Europe. Nigeria haven’t won a World Cup game for a while. Why do you think that is? I mean, we’ve always had such great players. It’s because of a lack of tactical discipline and concentration.

You have a wealth of experience in the squad. How will this help you progress?

You can’t buy this sort of experience. I pray that Vincent Enyeama, [Joseph] Yobo, [John] Mikel Obi will bring all their experience. Youth is good, but if we can combine youth and experience that will be great for us.

First up for Nigeria are Iran, whose coach has a good deal of experience. What are your views on the Iranians?

I think an experienced coach is their biggest weapon, because he’s well experienced, he knows the game well. For the Iran game we have to be focused. We have to concentrate and do our job. We’re not going to take Iran lightly because they’re not going to take us lightly. So we have to go out with everything that we have. They have a very good coach and I’m sure they also have some quality players. We don’t know Iran very well, but we’ll see them on Monday.

Sanchez finished from close range in the 12th minute and then set up Jorge Valdivia to drive in from outside the area two minutes later.

Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill pulled one back with a header from Ivan Franjic’s cross before half-time.

The New York Red Bulls player, 34, has scored four of Australia’s nine goals in World Cups and has found the net in three different tournaments.

After an anxious second half, Wigan’s Jean Beausejour’s long-range effort added Chile’s third in added time.