Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of Italy's Confederations Cup semifinal against Spain on Thursday with a thigh injury.

The 22-year-old AC Milan striker strained his left quadriceps during Italy's 4-2 defeat to Brazil in Salvador on Saturday.

A scan of the injury on Sunday confirmed he would not be fit in time for the duel with the world champions at the Castelao stadium.

According to Italy team physician Enrico Castellacci, Balotelli could also be in doubt for next Sunday's final, should the Azzurri progress.

"It's an injury that we have to be careful with, but we are going to evaluate him on a daily basis," Castellacci said during a press conference on Sunday night.

Italy have already lost Ignazio Abate for the rest of the tournament with a dislocated shoulder while Andrea Pirlo (calf) and Riccardo Montolivo(concussion) will be assessed before the clash with Spain.