Newcastle United defender Emil Krafth played his part on Tuesday night as Sweden wrapped up what has been a miserable World Cup qualifying campaign, scraping a 1-1 draw at home to Slovenia.
An 87th-minute equaliser from Gustav Lundgren rescued a point, but it did little to disguise just how poor Sweden have been throughout their group. They finished bottom with only two points, a result far below expectations for a nation that once consistently competed on the world stage.
Despite the disappointment, Sweden still have an unlikely lifeline thanks to the Nations League format, which has granted them a backdoor entry into the playoffs in March. For players like Krafth, it offers at least a glimmer of hope after a bleak run of results.
The Newcastle right-back featured for 65 minutes before being replaced by Gabriel Gudmundsson of Leeds United, and although the team’s overall performance left a lot to be desired, Krafth’s individual display earned steady praise.
Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen described his outing as “solid,” giving him a rating that translates simply to “approved.” It was not a flashy performance or one filled with standout moments, but it was exactly what longtime observers have come to expect from him.
Krafth has built a career on reliability, discipline, and doing the defensive basics with full commitment. This match was no different. He stayed focused, defended well in one-on-one situations, and even produced an important first-half block to prevent Slovenia from taking the lead earlier.
If there is one word that truly sums up Emil Krafth, it is “solid.” He is not the type of full-back who steals the spotlight with darting runs or spectacular attacking contributions, and he doesn’t pretend to be.
His strength has always been his defensive dependability. Eddie Howe values that immensely, which is why Newcastle have no intention of selling him in January even though Copenhagen have shown interest. While he might not be the most glamorous option in the squad, he is trusted, consistent and experienced qualities that matter in a long and unpredictable season.
Krafth was the only Newcastle player involved in Sweden’s final qualifier, with both Anthony Elanga and Alexander Isak absent for different reasons. Elanga had initially been named in the squad but had to withdraw before the game due to personal matters.
That development raised concerns for Newcastle ahead of Saturday’s clash with Manchester City, but reports now suggest he will be available, offering a boost for Eddie Howe’s side.
Alexander Isak, meanwhile, remained on the bench for the entire match. Graham Potter chose not to use the £125 million forward, who has endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool. His fitness problems, created in part by his absence from pre-season, have resulted in him scoring just one goal since leaving Newcastle on the final day of the transfer window.
For a striker once considered one of the most exciting forwards in Europe, it has been a frustrating and troubled period, and his lack of involvement on Tuesday only deepened concerns about his form and confidence.
As Sweden now look ahead to the playoffs, the narrative around the national team remains complicated. Their campaign has been poor, but the chance to reach the World Cup still exists.
Whether they can take advantage of that lifeline will depend on whether the team can rediscover its structure, energy and belief. Players like Krafth will be important in that effort, not because of flair or star power, but because of their professionalism and consistency.
For Newcastle, the night carried small positives. Krafth got minutes and performed steadily, Elanga is expected to be fit for the weekend, and there were no fresh injury concerns.
While Isak’s situation is firmly Liverpool’s problem now, his absence and struggles continue to be noticed, especially by Newcastle fans who remember his brilliant peaks and now watch his difficult transition from a distance.
In the end, Sweden’s qualifying campaign may go down as one to forget, but the opportunity that remains gives them and Krafth a reason to stay focused. And as for Newcastle, their defender once again showed why he remains a valuable part of Eddie Howe’s squad, proving that sometimes being “solid” is exactly what is needed.
