Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga opened the scoring for Sweden in their 2-2 draw against Slovenia on Friday night.
After a rather slow start on Tyneside, the 23-year-old is finally off the mark for the 2025/26 season. Anthony Elanga was called up to the Sweden national team alongside Newcastle United teammate Emil Krafth and former Toon star Alexander Isak.
Elanga was the only one of the three to appear during the game, with Jon Dahl Tomasson opting against playing Isak after his deadline day move to Liverpool.
Tomasson said Isak was not ready to play for Sweden, having taken part in just three training sessions before the game. That allowed Elanga to slot in at striker and open the scoring with a fine solo run before firing into an empty net from close range.
Swedish media were critical of Elanga, despite his impressive goal, but Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg has come to his defence.
Anthony Elanga celebrates after scoring in an international game between Slovenia and Sweden.
Photo by JURE MAKOVEC/AFP via Getty Images
Freddie Ljungberg says Anthony Elanga deserved to play all 90 minutes for Sweden
Elanga was taken off just a couple of minutes after the hour mark in Slovenia, despite being one of the best players on the pitch at the time.
It was a decision that Tomasson ended up rueing, as Slovenia scored a 91st-minute equaliser to earn themselves a point.
The substitution allows Elanga to start Sweden’s next game against Kosovo on Monday, where he could play alongside Isak for the first time since the transfer saga.
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As the substitution ended up being a costly one, Ljungberg brought up Tomasson’s decision to Aftonbladet.
“Inside, he is probably very, very surprised,” he said.
“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.”
Anthony Elanga responds to the substitution in Sweden’s draw with Slovenia
Elanga said Newcastle’s dressing room was ‘chill’ amid Isak’s exit. It was also revealed by Dan Burn that Isak messaged Newcastle’s WhatsApp group to thank them for his three years on Tyneside.
Newcastle fans never got the opportunity to see Elanga and Isak play together in the Premier League, something they will be gutted about despite everything that has happened behind the scenes.
Elanga should come back to Newcastle training later this week with a clean bill of health, but he admitted there was no explanation to his early substitution on Friday night.
“I have no idea, but for me it does not matter,” he told the press.
“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.
On if he can play a full 90 minutes, he said: “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.”