Abdulhafiz TeslimAnthony Elanga’s impressive World Cup campaign continued in the early hours of Friday morning as his second goal of the tournament helped secure Sweden’s place in the knockout stages.
The Newcastle United winger, however, did not realise Sweden had done enough to progress after their 1-1 draw with Japan, cutting a frustrated figure at full-time and appearing convinced his side had fallen short of qualification.
Under the old 32-team World Cup format, where only the top two teams from each group advanced, Elanga’s fears would have been justified as Sweden finished third in Group F. However, with the expanded 48-team tournament featuring 12 groups of four, the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, progress to the Round of 32.
Sweden’s tally of four points proved enough to secure their place in the knockout stages, and Elanga and his teammates will now await confirmation of their opponents in the next round.
Speaking to Swedish media after the match, Elanga admitted he was unaware that Sweden had already done enough to qualify.
“I shouted in English, ‘We can go for more.’ I didn’t know we were through,” Elanga said. “But then I heard someone shout that one point was enough. Now we focus on the next match.
“I just wanted to keep playing. I’m happy we played a good game, better than the one against Holland. We could have scored more goals.”
Those comments left Sweden head coach Graham Potter amused during his post-match press conference.
“That explains a few things then,” Potter joked. “It couldn’t have been any clearer for him, so he is obviously thinking about something else. Bless him. I love him at the moment but, dear me.”
Elanga’s strike against Japan marked the second successive World Cup match in which he has scored, something he had not previously achieved for club or country since completing his £55million move to Newcastle United from Nottingham Forest last summer.
Having made a positive impact from the bench by scoring Sweden’s only goal in their 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands, Elanga was rewarded with a place in the starting XI and seized his opportunity.
Picking the ball up on the right-hand side, Elanga drove infield before curling a stunning left-footed effort beyond Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to level the score. Ultimately, it proved to be the goal that secured Sweden’s place in the knockout stages.
Explaining his decision to hand Elanga his first World Cup start, Potter said: “We analysed the game against the Netherlands. We had to defend the box and wide areas better. Anthony comes in and offers a counter-attacking threat, and his pace is destabilising for the opponent.”
Elanga will now hope to retain his place in the Sweden side as they prepare for a Round of 32 clash against either Germany, Switzerland or the winners of Group I, which is currently being contested by France and Norway.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
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