Brazil has always been famed for its attacking talent and Neymar is a fitting heir to the stars that have lit up World Cups past. However, with his tournament over the lack of goal threat elsewhere up front has been brought into sharp focus.

The list of incredible goal scorers­ is illustrious and stretches back through their five victorious ­campaigns and beyond.

There has been a long history of attacking tandems, trios and ­quartets, with each component capable of chipping in with goals: Pele, Rivelino, Jairzinho and ­Tostao in 1970; Romario and Bebeto in 1994; and Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo in 2002.

This year is different. ­Neymar has carried the ­attacking ­responsibility so much that the ­Selecao have been accused of ­being a one-man team. They are now ­without him and the Brazilian public are left shaking their heads ­wondering how Fred and Jo ­will shoulder the ­responsibility to fire them past ­Germany.

Prior to the semifinal, Fred  has looked limited in leading the line, while Jo has displayed the talent that left Everton and Manchester City fans happy to see the back of him. Former Brazil star Kaka has termed the pair "capable" and that was his most effusive praise.

Where did it all go wrong? Partly it's not Brazil's fault. The current climate has seen old fashioned No.9s fall out of favor for the goal and assists threat of modern No.10s like Neymar and Messi or the False Nines made popular by Spain.

The other reason is a combination of Brazilian soccer being both unfortunate and careless.

Party loving Adriano, once seen as heir to Ronaldo, is just 32, but has left as many soccer clubs as nightclubs in the last few years.

Diego Costa, tired of not being called up, turned his back on Brazil and chose to represent Spain.

Alexandre Pato's career has stalled due to injuries and a taste for late nights.

Robinho was on the fringes of Scolari's squad but did not make the cut.

There were once high hopes for both Paulo Henrique ­Ganso and ­Leandro Damiao but ­expected moves to Europe have not ­materialized and both players have stagnated in their homeland.

All of these players should have been approaching their peak at this World Cup, but it was not to be.

Maybe a wildcard like Guangzhou Evergrande's 28-year-old ­Muriqui would have been worth his airfare from China or 17-year-old Santos striker Gabigol could have gained some big tournament ­experience.

Or maybe Scolari knows the score after all.