On Sunday evening, Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhães will meet for another battle – this time on the World Cup stage, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. The duel between the Manchester City star and the Arsenal stopper has developed into the Premier League’s biggest rivalry since Roy Keane against Patrick Vieira.
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Manchester City striker Haaland and Arsenal centre-back Gabriel have been battling it out for the Premier League title in three of the last four seasons. And it’s safe to say that there isn’t much love to be traced between the two when they meet on the pitch.
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Haaland has been one of the big profiles in the World Cup so far – with five goals and one assist in three games. Gabriel has started in all four of Brazil’s games, kept a clean sheet twice and provided a crucial assist in the comeback win over Japan in the round of 32.
Walker: “Gabriel is doing something right”
One player who has seen the rivalry up close is former City full-back Kyle Walker. He appeared on World Cup GameDay Live to discuss the feud:
“I think it’s good, as long as it doesn’t cross the line and ruin the game. Centre-backs and strikers should have a little fight with each other.
When pressed on whether Haaland dislikes Gabriel, Walker replied:
“I think he respects him – as a player, because he’s very good. And I think he has taken big steps in the last few seasons at Arsenal. But Gabriel is obviously doing something right when he manages to get under Haaland’s skin. As a defender, that’s exactly what you want to do against strikers.
What does Gabriel himself say?
Despite the animosity between the two, Gabriel’s wife Gabrielle Figueiredo revealed in 2025 that the Arsenal star is indeed looking forward to facing Haaland.
When asked if Gabriel complains about Haaland at home, she replied:
–No. I think he’s just always excited to play against anyone.
This is how it started – match by match
March 31, 2024 – Manchester City 0–0 Arsenal
After a goalless game, Pep Guardiola had to enter the pitch to separate Haaland and Gabriel, who exchanged heated words after the final whistle. Both finally shook hands and went their separate ways.
September 22, 2024 – Manchester City 2–2 Arsenal
The only meeting where both Haaland and Gabriel scored. Haaland opened, before Calafiori and Gabriel turned it around to make it 2-1 for a reduced Arsenal side. John Stones equalized in the 98th minute – and chaos broke loose.
Haaland picked up the ball and threw it at the back of Gabriel’s head – which sparked a mass brawl. Haaland also told Arteta to “stay humble”, called Gabriel Jesus a “clown” and asked Myles Lewis-Skelly “who the fuck are you?”.
After the game, Haaland refused to apologize:
“I don’t regret much in life. It was in the heat of battle. What happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch.
February 2, 2025 – Arsenal 5–1 Manchester City
Revenge, and what a revenge. Arsenal crushed City – their biggest win over them since 2000. Gabriel scored and cheered right in Haaland’s face. Lewis-Skelly copied Haaland’s own meditation celebration after scoring his first senior goal.
April 19, 2026 – Manchester City 2–1 Arsenal
Haaland scored the winning goal in the 65th minute to give City the advantage in the title race. In the 83rd minute, it looked like Gabriel headbutted Haaland – but Haaland stayed put, and Gabriel escaped with a yellow card.
“I think it’s a red card,” Haaland said afterwards. “If I had gone to the ground like everyone else, it would have been red. But my father taught me to stay standing.
May 25, 2026 – Arsenal wins the Premier League
Arsenal secured their first league title in 22 years. The next day, Gabriel posted a TikTok – where he showed off the winning medal while Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” played in the background. A clear jab at Haaland, who had used the same song in his celebration after the City victory.
May 30, 2026 – Arsenal lose the Champions League final
Just six days later, Arsenal lost the penalty shootout against PSG. Gabriel missed the decisive penalty – and Haaland posted a smiling selfie with friends soon after. Subtly, but mercilessly.
Haaland vs Gabriel – head-to-head
Haaland leads the statistics against Gabriel with five wins in eleven meetings against Arsenal.
Now they meet for the first time at national team level – with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals as a stake. It’s guaranteed to be hot.
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