Haaland praises Gabriel Magalhaes before Norway face Brazil at World Cup

Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes slammed as Norway dump Brazil out of World Cup

Gabriel was found wanting for Norway’s opening goal against Brazil (Picture: Getty) Former Arsenal and England star Lee Dixon took aim at Gabriel Magalhaes after Erling Haaland’s opened the scoring for Norway against Brazil, claiming the defender ‘got done’. Haaland once again took centre stage to inspire Norway to a famous 2-1braz victory over Brazil, the five-time World Cup winners, with Stale Solbakken’s men securing their place in the quarter-finals. The last 16 contest had looked to be heading for extra-time after a goalless first half, in which Bruno Guimaraes had a penalty saved by Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. But Haaland had other ideas, though, outmanoeuvring his long-time foe Gabriel to head home Andreas Schjelderup’s inviting cross in the 79th minute in New Jersey. Don't miss a World Cup moment England's hero (Picture:Getty) What a rollercoaster this has been. Make sense of the drama with Metro's free daily newsletter, featuring England updates, match previews and exclusive analysis. Sign up now. The talismanic Manchester City striker then put Norway out of sight with an emphatic long-range strike in the closing stages, taking his tally at this summer’s tournament to seven goals in five games. He will no doubt be looking to increase that total when Norway return to action against the winner of England’s last 16 clash with Mexico for a place in the semi-finals. Reacting to Haaland’s opening goal on ITV’s commentary, ex-England international Dixon said: ‘The script has been written. Andreas Schjelderup has looked lively since he’s come on on that left-hand side and he’s put the perfect cross in. Haaland took centre stage in New Jersey (Picture: Getty) Norway will face the winner of England’s clash with Mexico (Picture: Getty) ‘The one sat on his backside is Gabriel after this. ‘Just watch his movement: I’m gonna go on your left shoulder and then break into that space. ‘Look at the space between, it’s just asking for a cross on the penalty spot or around it and he gets it, in front. ‘And he knows it Gabriel, he’s been done. He’s been done by the movement that we’ve seen throughout the Premier League season. Out to in, Gabriel beaten.’ Dixon later added: ‘It’s an incredible goal tally he’s got and Gabriel suffers again.’ More to follow. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

1 hour ago

Erling Haaland sends message to Gabriel Magalhaes before World Cup clash

Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes have had some memorable battles (Picture: Getty Images) Erling Haaland played down his beef with Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of the pair clashing at the World Cup when Norway take on Brazil on Sunday. The Manchester City striker and Arsenal defender have developed a great rivalry in the Premier League, with their physical battles fascinating to watch. It has seemingly become personal between the two stars, ever since Haaland celebrated a late Manchester City equaliser against Arsenal in September 2024 by throwing the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head. Since then the rivalry has been simmering and occasionally boiled over, with Gabriel screaming in Haaland’s face to celebrate an Arsenal goal in February 2025. Don't miss a World Cup moment England's hero (Picture:Getty) What a rollercoaster this has been. Make sense of the drama with Metro's free daily newsletter, featuring England updates, match previews and exclusive analysis. Sign up now. In April this year City beat Arsenal 2-1 and Gabriel was very lucky not to be shown a red card after aiming a headbutt at the Norwegian. Now the two giants meet in the last 16 of the World Cup in New Jersey but Haaland has nothing but praise for the centre-back. In fact, he has been very complimentary about the Brazil team as a whole going into the match. Gabriel was lucky to avoid a red card after a clash with Haaland in April (Picture: Getty Images) ‘Yeah, he’s an amazing player, he just won the Premier League so all respect to him,’ Haaland told Caze TV. ‘But don’t forget Marquinhos won the Champions League two in a row, don’t forget Alisson has won every single trophy, so it’s not just him. The whole team is really good and the defence is really good. ‘If you are Brazil, and you have 200 million people to choose from – not exactly that – but if you have a lot of people to choose from you should have Champions League winners, you should have Premier League winners, and you should have the best players in the world, because it’s Brazil.’ Haaland has scored five goals in four World Cup games (Picture: Getty Images) Carlo Ancelotti sounds typically relaxed about dealing with the threat of Haaland, who has five goals in Norway’s four games so far. ‘I don’t have to explain to my defenders how Haaland plays. They know him better than I do because they have played against him many times,’ said the Brazil boss. Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes says there is a plan to deal with the prolific striker, saying: ‘We have to try to prevent the ball from reaching him. ‘We will be attacking, but there always has to be someone glued to him so we don’t give him space, because we know that with just one ball he can decide a match.’ The Gabriel vs Haaland battles tend to be very physical (Picture: Getty Images) Gabriel’s father said of his son’s battles with Haaland on ESPN’s Equipe F: ‘He’s used to playing against Haaland. The two of them clash and I keep saying “Good heavens!” ‘He’s used to playing against Haaland, against several other Premier League strikers, where there are many strikers of Haaland’s calibre. ‘Wow, the two of them go at it, I watch and think “Goodness gracious, thank goodness Gabriel is strong”. Because Haaland is very strong and to mark him you have to be a strong guy like Gabriel.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

11 hours ago