Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga scored for Sweden in their 2-2 draw against Slovenia in the World Cup qualifiers at the Stadion Stožice on Friday.
The forward was leading the national team’s attack, along with Arsenal summer signing Viktor Gyökeres, and he repaid Jon Dahl Tomasson’s trust by scoring his first competitive goal for Sweden in over two years.
Elanga opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yasin Ayari helped Sweden regain the lead in the 71st minute before Swansea City’s Žan Vipotnik scored the late equaliser for Slovenia.
The Newcastle man wasn’t on the pitch when Sweden regained the lead as Niclas Eliasson replaced him in the 63rd minute. Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg wasn’t pleased with Jon Dahl Tomasson’s decision to take Elanga off and [Aftonbladet](https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/JbjJ3J/anthony-elanga-utbytt-experterna-forvanade) have relayed his comments.
Ljungberg believes the former Manchester United man would have been puzzled with his substitution.
_“Inside, he is probably very, very surprised. Because in the first half he was definitely the best player on the pitch. He looked dangerous every time. The fact that he was substituted, I have to say, is the only thing in the match that surprises me,_” he said.
The Swedish media caught up with the 23-year-old, who insists he accepts the manager’s decision but is disappointed with the result.
_“I have no idea, but for me it does not matter. I just want the team to win. If I am substituted and another player comes on … as long as they can also do the job, that is the important thing for me,”_ Elanga explained.
When asked if he could have played the full 90 minutes, he added: _“Absolutely. I have a lot of energy, but maybe we needed something new? I only care if we win. If we don’t win, we’re not satisfied.”_
Elanga left Nottingham Forest for Newcastle United in the summer window and is yet to score or register an assist from three games.