Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes crashed out of the World Cup with his Brazilian teammates this evening and he’s been heavily criticised by Gary Neville.
Gabriel was beaten by his old foe Erling Haaland as Norway continued their fine run against the Brazilians over the years.
However, Gabriel and his teammates simply didn’t have enough in the tank and in the end, it was Norway’s and Haaland’s brilliance in particular that got it done.
Haaland beat Gabriel to the punch to head in the first goal. It was the big moment in the game, and for Gary Neville, it was a moment of simply terrible defending from the Arsenal man.
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Gary Neville criticises Gabriel as Norway beat Brazil
Gabriel might have been a rock at the back for Arsenal last season but there was no doubting that Haaland got the better of him all evening tonight.
For that first goal, Haaland was simply sharper than the Arsenal man.
And according to Gary Neville on ITV, it was simply unacceptable from Gabriel.
“Gabriel maybe. He’s a massive character and personality and sometimes they said he’d done it on the world stage and that’s now all gone,” Neville said.
“Look, I’m fuming with Gabriel here. He knows that centre forward better than anyone. For him to stand five yards off him on a head, with Haaland. Absolutely crazy from Gabriel, I can’t believe it. The advantage the defender has there is get in front of him, block him. As soon as he’s got the run on you, you’re dead.”
For Gabriel, it will be time to reset and take some time off before getting ready for next season with Arsenal.
His Arsenal teammate, Gabriel Martinelli, was having a positive impact on the game before being taken off in the second half.
Ultimately, this was Norway’s night and in terms of the early games of one upmanship between Man City and Arsenal for next year, it’s Haaland one, Gabriel nil.
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