Brazil v Norway: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup 2026
Gabriel was found wanting for Norway’s opening goal against Brazil (Picture: Getty)
Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright took aim at Gabriel Magalhaes after Erling Haaland scored a stunning double in Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil.
Haaland once again took centre stage to inspire Norway to a famous victory over Brazil, the five-time World Cup winners, with Stale Solbakken’s men securing their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in the country’s history.
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.
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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.
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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.
FBL-WC-2026-MATCH91-BRA-NOR
Haaland took centre stage in New Jersey (Picture: Getty)
Brazil v Norway: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup 2026
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.’
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Reacting to Norway’s win in the ITV studio, former England right-back Neville said of Haaland’s match-winning performance: ‘I’m absolutely delighted for him, he’s a big personality.
‘But look, I’m fuming with Gabriel from a point of view, he knows that centre-forward better than anybody.
‘For him to stay five yards off him and go for a straight race on a header with Haaland… absolutely crazy from Gabriel and I can’t believe it.
‘There’s one man in the box. The advantage the defender has there is just to go and absolutely block his run, get tight to him, but he’s the best at that, Haaland. Once he gets a run on you and he jumps, you’ve got no chance, your dead.’
More to follow.
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