People are really underrating Gaara in the desert...
No, they overrate him. Zzz
at the end was he able to defeat Deidara in the desert? No.
was he able to defeat the 2nd Mizukage by himself in the desert? No
was he able to defeat Mu in the desert? No
was he able to stop the 3rd Raikage? No
was he able to stop Madara? No
although he indeed sealed the Mizukage, but with Onoki's help, and entire army. Not to mention
the Mizukage himself helped them and as not even serious about fighting them, and he was lucky because
his dad's sand was there.
and even with Onoki they needed Naruto to help them to defeat Mu.
The 3rd Raikage also escaped easily from Gaara's jutsu
and so on and so fourth. He only defeat his dad, who's actually a fodder.