Faith and Football as Brazil unites to Pray for Glory--World Cup 2014

It is hard to think of a country that combines sport and spirituality quite like Brazil. 

Neymar may be out of the World Cup, but Brazil has kept the faith; Brazil still believes.

With coach Luiz Felipe Scolari not able to rely on an individual to drive the Selecao to the final in Rio on Sunday, the nation is looking to a higher power. 

Brazil is embracing a blend of religion, emotion and superstition. And that is as true of the 200 million people of this vast, varied country, as it is of the national team. 

During the run to Tuesday's semi-final against Germany, the players have used religious symbols, lucky charms, music and prayer.

It is often said that, in Brazil, football is a religion, but it is a much more complicated picture than that. Football is instead a platform for the country's religions to find a voice. 

The Brazil team have been united by their combined belief throughout this World Cup.

Scolari has used it to bond and motivate the players. Before the victory over Colombia, he visited a chapel in the grounds of the team hotel in Fortaleza. In the dressing room before the match, the squad repeated the Lord's Prayer. And at the final whistle, defender David Luiz sank to his knees and prayed again. 

My faith in Jesus gives me strength to keep on going out onto the field and to do my best," he says. "But I also want to inspire others - that is what God inspires me to do. For me, true life is found in the relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe that everything in life belongs to God and he has a clear plan for us if we follow him." 

There are two clear faiths within the team, the Catholics and the evangelicals. Unlike past World Cups, where the players prayed separately, in Brazil the squad have come together to pray, they have found unity. 

Luiz and Neymar are among the evangelicals, as are Fernandinho and Fred.