Erling Haaland and Gabriel renew rivalry as Norway face Brazil at World Cup
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel will renew their bitter Premier League rivalry on the international stage when Norway face Brazil in the World Cup last 16 in New York.
The heavyweight international clash offers a place in the quarter-finals for the victors, while the losers will face elimination from the 2026 tournament.
Animosity between the two Premier League stars stems from a fiercely contested domestic campaign during the 2024-25 season.
A rivalry forged in Manchester and London
Tensions first ignited when the Norwegian forward threw the ball at the back of the South American defender’s head following a late Manchester City equaliser against Arsenal.
“What happens on the football pitch stays there,” the former Borussia Dortmund striker stated at the time.
“It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football. It’s part of the game.”
However, the Gunners centre-back promised retribution in the return fixture at Emirates Stadium.
When Mikel Arteta’s side secured a resounding 5-1 victory over City later that season, the Brazilian celebrated directly in his adversary’s face.
“I did it because he threw the ball at my head, to provoke him the way he provoked me,” he explained.
Escalation and Premier League fallout
The hostility escalated further during a subsequent 2-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side at Etihad Stadium.
Referee Anthony Taylor booked both players after the Arsenal defender allegedly attempted to headbutt the prolific goalscorer.
“If I go down like any other guy, it’s a red card,” the Norwegian international remarked following the incident.
“My father taught me to stay on your feet.”
The feud eventually spilt over onto social media at the conclusion of the domestic campaign.
After Arsenal secured the Premier League title, the Brazilian posted a celebration video featuring a song the City striker had previously used to mock his rivals.
World Cup quarter-final stakes
Now, the pair must set aside their club allegiances as they represent their respective nations on football’s biggest stage.
The impending fixture in the United States guarantees that only one of these fierce competitors will advance to the latter stages of the World Cup.