Haaland, Gabriel renew rivalry as Norway face Brazil in World Cup last 16

The FIFA World Cup Round of 16 will feature a high-stakes clash between Norway and Brazil, reigniting the intense individual rivalry between strikers Erling Haaland and Gabriel. The two have developed a heated dynamic over the past two Premier League seasons, with their on-field confrontations often stealing the spotlight.

Their rivalry dates back to September 2024, following a match where Haaland told Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to "stay humble." This led to a series of retaliatory celebrations and exchanges, including Gabriel celebrating directly in Haaland's face after scoring and Haaland later using song lyrics in his celebrations. The encounters have also seen physical altercations, with Gabriel narrowly avoiding a red card for an apparent headbutt.

Statistically, Haaland has had the edge in club meetings, scoring six goals in 11 appearances against Gabriel's Arsenal. Manchester City has won five of those matches, while Arsenal has secured two wins and four draws. Haaland is in strong form at the World Cup with five goals, while Gabriel is a key defender for a disciplined Brazil side. Intriguingly, Brazil has never defeated Norway in four previous meetings, with two draws and two losses.

Former England captain Alan Shearer commented on the rivalry, noting the clear animosity between the players and predicting another physical contest. The stakes are immense, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals on the line.

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There is definitely a bit of edge between them. You don’t have to like your opponent, and these two certainly have a history.