Gary Neville furious with Gabriel as ITV World Cup pundits lay into Arsenal star

Gabriel Magalhaes was heavily criticised by Gary Neville after his role in Brazil's elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Norway, and being second best to long-time rival Erling Haaland

Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Roy Keane have all laid into Gabriel after he failed to stop Erling Haaland as Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup by Norway.

The Arsenal defender and Manchester City star continued their bitter feud on the international stage, with Haaland coming out on top as he scored twice to send Brazil and Gabriel home. His first goal was a superb header, but ITV's World Cup pundits have been heavily critical of Gabriel for failing to stop him from scoring.

Neville began by focusing on Haaland's match-winning brilliance: “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. I’m absolutely delighted for him.”

But he swiftly turned his attention to Gabriel's failure to deal with Norway's No.9. He said: “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, 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.”

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Keane added: "Poor defending, he's not looking over his shoulder, he's got a run on him, ball into a good area and there's only going to be one winner.

"It's like we say about Kane, you know these guys are going to turn up. There's no doubt he was going to do the business, he's become more of a leader, that goal threat is always there."

Wright agreed with his fellow pundits and said: "I can't disagree with you on Gabriel. What I'm surprised with is that he didn't look at him once."

Neville wasn't done there and continued to call out the Arsenal star. He later added: “I don’t know how he didn’t see him. He’s about 14ft 2’. He’s massive. And actually he’s sort of in a decent position, Gabriel, where he’s side on.

"So you’re just thinking, as the ball’s about to be crossed, go and make contact, don’t let him have a run. I’m surprised Gabriel, in this type of game, as prepared as he would be, knowing him as well as he does, hasn’t done that.”

The shock win for Norway sees them set up a quarter-final tie against either England or Mexico. Their clash at the Azteca Stadium is due to take place at 6pm local time (1am BST) but could be delayed due to thunderstorms.

Heavy rainfall has already fallen in Mexico City, with thunder also overhead, and lightning is forecast for the coming hours.

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