Anthony Elanga scored his first World Cup goal for Sweden, but the Newcastle United winger still finished on the wrong side of a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands at the NRG Stadium in Houston.
The 24-year-old was introduced in the 55th minute with Sweden already four goals down, then answered with a sharp left-footed finish that gave his side a brief lift, according to Newcastle United’s official World Cup update.
It was a clean personal milestone inside a bruising Group F result. Elanga had made his World Cup bow as a late substitute in Sweden’s opening win over Tunisia, replacing former Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, but this was the first time he had put his stamp on the tournament scoreboard.
Elanga gives Newcastle a tournament talking point
For Newcastle, the goal matters because Elanga is one of Eddie Howe’s senior players carrying club interest through the tournament. Sweden now move on to face Japan at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Friday 26 June, with their group position still shaped by a heavy Dutch defeat.
Elanga’s cameo will not soften the wider frustration for Sweden, but it gives Newcastle supporters a clear moment to track. A lively substitute appearance, a composed finish and a first World Cup goal make him one of the Magpies’ more visible international performers this week.
