We’re a mere two hours away from the start of the World Cup’s version of the Final Four. Today’s game, Brazil vs. Germany, features the host country without two of its best players against a Germany team that emerged out of the Group of Death unscathed, but has struggled in the knockout stage so far — winning two games by one goal.

Here are three of the biggest storylines heading into the game:

3) Brazil’s Defense Without Thiago Silva

Here’s a reminder that Thiago Silva, Brazil’s star central midfielder, won’t be playing because of this idiotic (on his part) yellow card.

thiago silva

What Silva did was a pull a move straight out of FIFA the video game. While it works on Xbox, it doesn’t work in real life. Seriously, what was he thinking?

Now, Brazil will be missing its most important defender against a German assault that is averaging two goals per game.

About Sean Wagner-McGough