Gabriel Magalhães was heavily criticized by Gary Neville after helping Brazil crash out of the World Cup at the hands of Norway, finishing second behind long-time rival Erling Haaland.
Gary Neville rams Gabriel after failing to stop Erling Haaland at World Cup (Image: ITV Sport)
Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Roy Keane all criticized Gabriel for failing to stop Erling Haaland during Brazil’s World Cup defeat to Norway.
The Arsenal defender and Manchester City star continued their bitter feud on the international stage, with Haaland coming out on top with two goals to send Brazil and Gabriel home. His first goal was a stunning header, but ITV’s World Cup pundits were heavily criticized for failing to prevent Gabriel from scoring.
Neville first highlighted Haaland’s game-winning brilliance, saying: “He’s a great character, a great personality and sometimes people say about these players that they didn’t do it on the world stage, but now that’s been taken away. I’m really happy for him.”
However, he quickly drew attention to Gabriel’s failure to deal with the Norwegian number nine. “I’m mad at Gabriel. He knows centre-forwards better than anyone. For him to go straight for a header from five yards out – with Haaland – is just crazy! I can’t believe it.”
“There’s one guy in the box. The advantage the defender has there is to go and block his runs, block his runs and get right up to him. But he’s the best in that Haaland. Once you get run by him and he jumps, you have no chance, you’re dead. And it’s a great header.”
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Keane added: “Poor defense, he’s not looking over his shoulder. He made runs and put the ball into good areas. There can only be one winner.”
“It’s like what we say about Kane, you know they’re coming. There’s no doubt he was going to do the job. He’s become more of a leader. The goal threat is always there.”
Wright agreed with his fellow experts, saying, “I disagree with you about Gabriel. What surprises me is that he never saw him.”
Neville didn’t stop there and continued to call out the Arsenal star. He later added, “I don’t know how he didn’t notice him. He’s about 14-foot-2. He’s huge. And he’s actually in a decent position in a way, Gabriel, side-on.”
Haaland beats Gabriel with a header and scores two goals, helping Norway to be eliminated from the Brazil World Cup.
“So if the ball is about to be crossed, I’m thinking of going and making contact and trying to keep him from running. I was surprised that Gabriel didn’t do that in this kind of game, knowing him well and being ready.”
Norway’s shock victory set them up to face either England or Mexico in the quarter-finals. The match between the two sides at Azteca Stadium is scheduled to take place at 6pm local time (1am BST), but could be postponed due to thunderstorms.
Heavy rain is already falling in Mexico City, with thunder rolling overhead and more lightning strikes expected for the next few hours.
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