Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres badly let down Sweden (and Anthony Elanga…) | OneFootball

On Friday, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres started for Sweden, Anthony Elanga named on the bench.

The two Premier League strikers were woeful, along with most of their teammates, not even managing an effort on target all game, whilst Switzerland had eight shots on target and two of them went past the keeper.

That home World Cup group qualifier was bad for Sweden captain Alexander Isak and Sweden, Monday night though was another level.

At home again, this time to 91st ranked in the world Kosovo, Jon Dahl Tomasson once again started with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres up front, Anthony Elanga once again named on the bench.

The first half seeing Sweden a poor second best and the two Premier League strikers offering minimal threat, whilst at the other end Kosovo took the lead and then hit the post as well.

Unlike against Switzerland when Anthony Elanga was left on the bench, this time the Newcastle United winger was one of three changes made at half-time as Tomasson desperately tried in vain to save Sweden’s World Cup qualification chances (and his job…?).

The Sweden threat instantly increased, Elanga crossing for Gyokeres who should have scored but his header too close to the keeper.

Then another great Elanga delivery but Alexander Isak missing the target.

The Newcastle United star continuing to whip dangerous balls into the box but the Premier League strike force unable to match the service.

Isak wasting yet another glorious late chance as Anthony Elanga crossed but the Liverpool striker’s header saved, when he should have given the keeper no chance.

A home defeat to lowly Kosovo and this is how their World Cup qualifying group looks with two rounds of games left to play.

This is the October 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 9 October

England 3 Wales 0

Anthony Gordon with an excellent first half, as did most of his teammates. England roared into a 3-0 lead after only 20 minutes and then as the game went on, they coasted to victory and countless subs made. Gordon the only one of the front six to play the full game, whilst Dan Burn an unused sub.

Friday 10 October

South Korea 0 Brazil 5

A world class assist from Bruno Guimaraes setting up Estevao to score the opener in this friendly. Joelinton remaining on the bench for the entirety of the game, Bruno subbed off on 79 minutes.

Germany 4  Luxembourg 0

An excellent team performance with Nick Woltemade leading the line for Germany.

The Newcastle United striker didn’t score himself but led the line so well, with link up play and his all round game helping to deliver a commanding victory in this World Cup group qualifier.

Sweden 0 Switzerland 2

Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as this must win World Cup group qualifier ended in defeat.

Sweden standing next to no chance now of appearing at the 2026 finals.

With three group games still left to play, Sweden eight points behind Switzerland.

Saturday 11 October

Estonia 1 Italy 3

Sandro Tonali bossing this World Cup group qualifier, rated man of the match across the Italian media and Football Italia perfectly summing up his brilliant performance…

‘Italy had a few strong performers tonight but the Newcastle United man was in a league of his own today. Harking back to the iconic Italian centre-mids of yore, the 25-year-old showed his class this evening.’

Monday 13 October

Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1

What a moment for Nick Woltemade to get his first goal for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier. The only goal of the game as the Newcastle United striker rises highest to head (‘slight’ suspicion it came off his shoulder…) home in the 31st minute. A tough night in Belfast, a real battle, but Germany now in such a strong position top of their group with only two games to play, only the group winners will automatically qualify for the 2026 finals. Nick Woltemade putting in a 92 minute shift and only subbed off in the dying seconds.

Sweden 0 Kosovo 1

An embarrassing home defeat for Sweden and left bottom of the table with one point after four games and only two matches left to play. Anthony Elanga named on the bench for this World Cup group qualifier and watched on as Sweden trailed 1-0 at half-time, though it could have been 2-0 as Kosovo also hit the post. Elanga one of three subs made at the break and he sparked Sweden belatedly into life, putting a series of quality crosses in but Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak wasting chance after chance.

Italy v Israel (Sandro Tonali) World Cup group qualifier

Latvia v England (Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn) World Cup group qualifier