Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright took aim at Gabriel Magalhaes’ questionable defending after Erling Haaland scored a stunning double to inspire Norway to a famous 2-1 victory over Brazil.
Haaland took centre stage with a magnificent individual performance as Stale Solbakken’s men overcame the five-time World Cup winners to secure their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in the country’s history.
The last 16 contest had looked to be heading for extra-time after a goalless first half, in which Bruno Guimaraes had a penalty comfortably saved by Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
Haaland had other ideas, though, outmanoeuvring his long-time foe Gabriel to head home Andreas Schjelderup’s inviting cross in the 79th minute in New Jersey.
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The talismanic Manchester City striker then doubled Norway’s advantage with an emphatic long-range strike before Neymar’s consolation in the closing stages, taking his tally at this summer’s tournament to seven goals in five games.
He will no doubt be looking to increase that total when Norway return to action this weekend against the winner of England’s last 16 clash with Mexico.
Reacting to Haaland’s opening goal on ITV’s commentary, ex-England international Dixon said: ‘The script has been written. Schjelderup has looked lively since he’s come on on that left-hand side and he’s put the perfect cross in.
‘The one sat on his backside is Gabriel after this. Just watch Haaland’s movement: I’m gonna go on your left shoulder and then break into that space.
‘Look at the space between, it’s just asking for a cross on the penalty spot or around it and he gets it, in front.
‘And he knows it Gabriel, he’s been done. He’s been done by the movement that we’ve seen throughout the Premier League season. Out to in, Gabriel beaten.’
Dixon later added: ‘It’s an incredible goal tally he’s got and Gabriel suffers again.’
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Reacting to Norway’s win in the ITV studio, former England right-back Neville said of Haaland’s match-winning display: ‘I’m absolutely delighted for him, he’s a big personality.
‘But look, I’m fuming with Gabriel from a point of view, 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 from Gabriel and I can’t believe it.
‘There’s one man in the box. The advantage the defender has there is just to go and absolutely 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 got no chance, your dead.’
Ex-Manchester United captain Keane added: ‘Poor defending [from Gabriel].
‘He’s not looking over his shoulder and he must be aware of Haaland. He got a little run on him.
‘The ball arrived into the right area and there was only going to be one winner. He just had a little run on him.
‘Again, it’s like what we say about Harry Kane with England: you know these guys are going to turn up.’
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Former Arsenal and England striker echoed Neville and Keane’s analysis of Gabriel’s questionable defending, stating: ‘Listen, I can’t disagree with you with Gabriel.
‘But it was textbook movement from Haaland and he [Gabriel] couldn’t see him at any stage. Of course you’ve got to look for him.
‘The thing is, what I’m surprised about with Gabriel, is he didn’t actually look for him once.
‘That’s what I’m surprised with more than anything else because as a forward, you’ve got to get on his shoulder so that when he looks you go. He didn’t do it once.’
This was when Neville chimed in again: ‘I don’t know how he didn’t see him… he’s about 14 ft 2, he’s massive!
‘And actually, Gabriel’s sort of in a decent position where he’s side-on so you’re just thinking go and make contact as the ball’s about to be crossed, don’t let him have a run.
‘Look, we’ve all done it as a defender but 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.’
Norway and one of England or Mexico will lock horns for a place in this year’s semi-finals at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium at 22:00 BST on Saturday.