Swedish media blast Newcastle ace Anthony Elanga despite his goal during draw to Slovenia

The international break always offers a fascinating glimpse into how club players adapt to the demands of their national teams, and for Newcastle United fans, the focus was sharply on their representatives across the globe.

In a World Cup qualifier that ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, it was winger Anthony Elanga who provided the most compelling story for the Magpies faithful, delivering a performance that was both encouraging and emblematic of his current journey.

The match between Slovenia and Sweden naturally drew attention from Tyneside, featuring three players with strong Newcastle connections.

All eyes were initially on Alexander Isak, making his first international appearance since his British-record move to Liverpool.

However, in a surprising decision, Sweden manager and former Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tomasson opted to leave Isak on the bench for the entire match.

Fellow Magpie Emil Krafth also remained among the substitutes, leaving Anthony Elanga as the sole Newcastle representative in the starting lineup.

For Elanga, this was a significant opportunity. His start to the new club season has been solid, featuring in all of Newcastle’s matches, but he has yet to truly explode into the impactful presence he aspires to be.

The international stage, therefore, offered a chance to build momentum and confidence. Deployed in a central striking role rather than his usual wide position, he seized that chance emphatically.

After 18 minutes, he made a clever, darting run into the penalty area and managed to bundle the ball over the line to give Sweden the lead.

It wasn’t the most graceful finish, but it was incredibly effective, showcasing the instinctual movement and determination managers love to see.

The reaction from Swedish media was notably positive, though it came with an important dose of realism.

Outlets were quick to praise his energetic and threatening first-half display, highlighting his role in the goal and his overall involvement.

However, they were equally observant of a noticeable dip in his influence after halftime. His second-half performance was described as lacking the same sharpness and offensive creativity, a classic case of a “Jekyll and Hyde” display that ultimately saw him substituted after 61 minutes. This duality is something he will be keen to address, transforming promising flashes into consistent, 90-minute performances.

Despite the mixed reviews, the goal itself is a massive positive for both the player and his club. Scoring for your national team always provides a boost in confidence, and for a player like Elanga, who is still working to fully cement his place at a top Premier League side, that boost can be invaluable.

He returns to Tyneside with a tangible reward for his efforts, a reminder of the quality he possesses.

His return also coincides with a new chapter at Newcastle. The departure of Alexander Isak has reshaped the attacking dynamic, and Elanga will now be building partnerships with two new faces: the record-signing Nick Woltemade and the proven Premier League goalscorer Yoane Wissa.

Interestingly, his new teammates also experienced contrasting fortunes during the break. Woltemade had a quiet game in Germany’s shock defeat to Slovakia, often isolated due to a lack of service, while Wissa was excellent for DR Congo, scoring one goal and setting up another in a convincing 4-1 victory.

This creates an intriguing scenario for manager Eddie Howe. Elanga’s goal, Wissa’s strong form, and even Woltemade’s difficult outing all provide valuable information.

The challenge is to integrate these pieces into a cohesive and potent attacking unit. For Anthony Elanga, his goal for Sweden should be the foundation he builds upon.

It proves he can be a threat through the middle, it adds to his growing experience, and most importantly, it gives him a surge of belief.

The hope on Tyneside is that he can carry this confidence back into the black and white shirt, forming a deadly new partnership and becoming the consistent, game-changing winger everyone knows he can be.