England legends slam Arsenal's Gabriel after Haaland double sinks Brazil
Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match held in New Jersey on July 6, 2026. Erling Haaland scored both Norwegian goals: a header in the 79th minute from Andreas Schjelderup’s cross and a long-range strike later in the game. Neymar pulled one back for Brazil in the final minutes, bringing his tournament tally to seven goals in five matches. Despite the late goal, Brazil were eliminated, ending their quest for a sixth World Cup title. Immediately after the match, former England stars Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright criticized Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes for his marking of Haaland, saying he gave the striker too much space, failed to track his runs and made a poor decision to chase a header instead of staying tight. For Nigerian fans, many of whom follow the Premier League and Arsenal, the critique raises questions about the defensive reliability of a key Arsenal player and could influence perceptions of the club’s back line ahead of the new season. It also highlights how individual defensive lapses can overturn tight matches, a lesson relevant to local leagues and youth coaching. If you're an Arsenal supporter, consider whether Gabriel’s performance warrants concern for the team’s defensive stability, or if you believe the criticism overlooks the team’s overall effort and the quality of Haaland’s finishing.