Anthony Elanga plays 80 minutes for Sweden as Graham Potter learns of the mammoth task ahead
Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga hasn't been able to find form for his club yet this season, but was given a start for his country yesterday as Sweden met Switzerland in the World Cup qualifiers.
Elanga started the game on Sweden's left flank but was powerless to stop Switzerland from piling on the misery for Graham Potter's side.
Switzerland took an early lead on 13 minutes, but Sweden were able to peg them back on 33 minutes and managed to hold on until the second half before everything crumbled.
A controversial penalty, which was tucked away by Sunderland's Granit Xhaka set the Swedes on a spiral with Switzerland running out 4-1 winners by the end.
Anthony Elanga had a bright first half for Sweden
Elanga stayed on the field for 78 minutes before being replaced by Emil Forsberg, and the Toon winger received a decent write-up after the game from Fotboll Skanalen , particularly for his first-half efforts.
“It was mainly Elanga that Sweden wanted to use as a threat in the first half. Did well offensively and hit a nice cross for the equaliser. Delivered good service and was better offensively than defensively. Close to getting a goal, but disappeared in the second half.”
In case you're wondering, Alexander Isak did not start, but was introduced in the second half, and no ... he obviously didn't score. Again.
We're torn on what we want to happen with Sweden
Sweden remain rooted to the bottom of their qualifying group, but still have a shot of reaching the play-offs, so all is not lost yet, although we're sure it wasn't the start that Graham Potter was hoping for.
As we've said before, we'd love Sweden to qualify for the World Cup for our very own Anthony Elanga and Emil Krafth, who was an unused substitute yesterday, but we would take so much joy in seeing Isak miss out on the world's biggest stage.
Karma really is a female dog.
