Shearer claimed that the goal conceded by Brazil showed that the gap between Gabriel and his central defensive partner Marquinhos “was huge”.
By Kehinde Okeowo
British pundit and former Newcastle striker, Alan Shearer, has chastised Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães after Brazil fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Morocco in a Group C encounter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
The England legend criticised the South American central defender while analysing the match on the BBC on Saturday.
Brazil fell behind in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari lifted the ball over the onrushing Alisson Becker from outside the area, following a lapse in communication between the Liverpool goalkeeper and his defenders, Gabriel and Marquinhos.
The North Africans continued to dominate and, by the 30th minute, had registered 12 shots – the most Brazil have faced in a World Cup match since their encounter with Mexico in 2018.
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However, after Mohamed Ouahbi’s side failed to capitalise on their advantage, Brazil drew level 13 minutes before the break through Vinícius.
Speaking on the game, Shearer noted that he was not impressed with Gabriel’s display against Morocco, arguing that he was shaky and slow.
He also claimed that the goal conceded by Brazil showed that the gap between Gabriel and his central defensive partner Marquinhos “was huge”.
“He’s looked shaky, Gabriel, today,” Shearer noted.
He added: “On two or three occasions, the ball has gone out, and I thought he could’ve attacked it and he didn’t. He’s been slow. Certainly, with the goal in the first half, the gap between him and Marquinhos was huge.”
