Haaland heads Norway past Brazil to settle feud with Gabriel at World Cup 2026

Erling Haaland settled his feud with Gabriel on the biggest stage of all, heading Norway in front against Brazil before firing a spectacular second to send his country through at the 2026 World Cup in New Jersey — leaving the Arsenal centre-back on the wrong end of a rivalry that has defined the Premier League in recent years.

The two players have clashed repeatedly in the Premier League, their antagonism spilling into genuine animosity. Haaland famously lobbed the ball at Gabriel’s head after a last-minute equaliser at the Etihad Stadium, while Gabriel responded by thrusting his head towards the striker during a feisty April encounter. The Brazilian later gloated in Haaland’s ear during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over City, shouting that he had celebrated in kind because “he threw the ball at my head.”

Haaland has previously framed the rivalry in blunt terms. “What happens on the football pitch stays there,” the Norwegian said. “That’s just how it is. It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football. It’s part of the game.”

On this occasion, however, there was no response from Gabriel. When Norway needed a breakthrough, Haaland rose beyond the defender to power a header past Alisson, then added a second to leave Brazil on the brink of elimination. For Gabriel, the defeat compounded a difficult 2026: despite winning the Premier League, he missed the crucial penalty in the Champions League final before this latest setback against his old adversary.

Gary Neville was effusive in his praise for Haaland after the match. “He’s a massive character, a personality, and sometimes it’s said about these players that he never did it on the world stage — and that’s now been removed,” the former England defender said. “I’m absolutely delighted for him.”

Neville was far less forgiving of Gabriel’s defensive approach. “I’m fuming with Gabriel. 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. I can’t believe it. There’s one man in the box. The advantage the defender has there is to go and 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 no chance, you’re dead. And it’s a brilliant header.”

“I don’t know how he didn’t see him,” Neville added. “He’s about 14ft 2’. He’s massive.”