The clash saw Gabriel come under pressure as Erling Haaland, the Norwegian standout, proved decisive. Haaland opened the scoring with a well-timed header, a moment Neville described as a glaring example of deficient defending from Gabriel.
In a post-match discussion on television, Neville did not mince words. He argued that Gabriel, known for his strength at club level, was beaten by the Manchester City forward all evening. “Gabriel is a big character, but on this world stage, he failed to meet the moment,” Neville said. “For Haaland to get a clean run on him, five yards off, is unacceptable. A defender should be in front and contesting the ball rather than allowing a head start.”
Gabriel’s performance contrasted with his solid form for Arsenal in the previous season. Haaland’s sharpness troubled him throughout the game, and Neville contended that the Brazilian should have established a better position to thwart the attack.
The match drew attention not only to Gabriel’s display but to Norway’s overall performance, with Haaland’s influence evident from the early stages. As Brazil regrouped for the remainder of the tournament, Gabriel faces the task of resetting quickly ahead of the next season with Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli contributed positively before being substituted in the second half as Brazil attempted to mount a late comeback. The result underscored a difficult night for Brazil and a notable victory for Norway, with Haaland stealing the limelight and leaving Gabriel with a tough assessment to confront in the aftermath.
