Newcastle: Swedish media react to Anthony Elanga's dazzling display vs Japan
Newcastle United forward Anthony Elanga scored for Sweden in the 1-1 draw against Japan in the World Cup on Friday.
Dallas Stadium hosted Graham Potter's team and the Samurai Blue on 26 June, with the Magpies' winger equalising for his nation in the 62nd minute.
Just a few minutes earlier, Daizen Maeda had broken the deadlock in the game, but the Tyneside outfit's attacker made sure the Blue and Yellow secured a point with a magnificent strike.
Elanga has been hailed by the media in Sweden after scoring from an almost impossible angle, bending the ball to the far post from the right-wing.
The 24-year-old hasn't had the best of seasons after his big-money move to St James' Park last summer from Nottingham Forest, but he has regained his form at the World Cup.
Potter's team have reached the last 32 of the tournament but will be eagerly awaiting to see whether they face France or Norway in the knockout stage.
Anthony Elanga game-changer in Sweden draw vs Japan
Elanga made his first start of the tournament against Japan after coming off the bench to score in the 5-1 loss to the Netherlands, making an impression in the final group-stage fixture.
The forward has now bagged two goals at the 2026 World Cup, with the latest one clinching qualification to the knockouts for the Blue and Yellow.
With a rating of 4/5, he was considered the best of the Swedish bunch by Fotbollskanalen, who wrote, "Contributed with energy and was a constant threat in depth with his speed. Incredible shot to make it 1-1 and a big saver for Sweden. Japan had a hard time getting a hold of him."
Expressen concurred with the assessment of Elanga being Potter's best player on the pitch, showcasing what he's best at and may have cemented his place in the manager's plans for the rest of the tournament.
The news outlet wrote, "Shows what he is one of the best at in the World Cup: poking and running. A good weapon for the counterattack when he gets space to exploit. The equalizer is pure class. Just like in the playoff against Poland, it is his left foot that saves Sweden. He inserted himself into Potter's eleven for the rest of the championship."
Anthony Elanga to change Newcastle United transfer plans
Sources told Football Insider in May that Newcastle had Jarrod Bowen on their radar as the Magpies prepared for a summer of change up front.
The West Ham United captain mainly operates from the right-wing, which would raise questions over Elanga's future, but the former Forest star could potentially change his situation at St James' Park if he continues to shine at the World Cup.
With Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona, Elanga could take the reins of the Tyneside outfit's attack and he's showing he has the potential to do so with some impressive displays for Sweden.