Alexander Isak Newcastle United misconduct spectacularly backfires on him | OneFootball

There was a belief amongst many, that the misconduct of Alexander Isak in the summer would only be damaging to Newcastle United, in the short and longer-term.

This was clearly the view of the player himself.

Alexander Isak’s not believing it possible that his summer actions could rebound on him.

Well they have done so in spectacular fashion already, in the week immediately following Isak forcing his move to Liverpool.

On Friday, Sweden could only manage a disappointing 2-2 draw with Slovenia in their opening World Cup group qualifying game.

After that Slovenia game, Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson explained why Isak had been left on the bench:

“Alexander Isak had only done three training sessions with the team.

“He had no pre-season with the team (Newcastle United) and of course no playing time.

“The risk was probably a bit too great to use him today.”

Monday night looked a must win game for Sweden, desperately needing three points against Kosovo.

Alexander Isak not named in the starting eleven and Tomasson only giving his star striker the final 18 minutes in a desperate attempt to save Sweden, who were trailing 2-0. Still clearly far from full match fitness and focus, Isak not able to make any difference to the result.

Only the group winners automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals and this is how Sweden’s group looks after two of the six rounds of matches played, Switzerland hammering Slovenia 3-0 last night:

As you can see, Sweden’s hopes of automatic World Cup qualification now hanging by a thread.

Jon Dahl Tomasson clearly thinking Alexander Isak nowhere near fit enough even last night, Sweden were 2-0 down from the 42nd minute and Tomasson no doubt thinking as a last resort putting Isak on, even though not physically up to the job.

Alexander Isak has never appeared at a World Cup finals and that chance may now never happen. This time was surely Isak’s best bet of making it to the finals and indeed potentially Sweden doing well. However, Isak’s selfish misconduct with Newcastle United this summer, leading to Sweden having to do without their star striker in these key World Cup qualifiers.

To finish top of the group and automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals, Sweden would surely now have to win all four remaining group matches, including defeating Switzerland home and away. Which in reality surely isn’t going to happen.

You have to feel sorry for the other Sweden players who are suffering due to Isak’s behaviour.

Not least Emil Krafth and Anthony Elanga.

Anthony Elanga was the one replaced by Alexander Isak in the 72nd minute last night, the NUFC star hasn’t so far played at a World Cup finals and now looks set to miss out on 2026.

This would have been the last chance for Emil Krafth to make another finals. He was part of the Sweden squad in the 2018 World Cup finals and started in the quarter-finals when they lost to England.

So, due to no football the last four months and refusing to train with Newcastle United, Alexander Isak has managed to totally undermine his and his teammates/country’s chances of making the 2026 World Cup finals.

The Liverpool player left to reflect on his behaviour this summer. What a shame.

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

Thursday 4 September

Slovakia 2 Germany 0

Nick Woltemade making his third appearance for Germany but starved of service. Germany missing many of their best players, especially creatively. Germany deservedly beaten in their opening World Cup group qualifier. Rudiger and Tah especially poor in defence.

Friday 5 September

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Bruno Guimaraes putting in a top class performance in this dominant World Cup group qualifier victory. Topping it off by scoring the third and final goal, Bruno rated man of the match. Joelinton not named in the matchday squad and it appears he has stayed in Newcastle to make sure he comes back from injury against Wolves in eight days time.

Slovenia 2 Sweden 2

Emil Krafth remained on the bench as Sweden drew their first of six World Cup group qualifying matches. Anthony Elanga with a very good performance and scored a top quality goal when running from the halfway line, playing a one-two and applying a class finish, to give Sweden the lead on 18 minutes. Having departed as part of a double substitution on 64 minutes at 1-1, Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as Sweden once again took the lead, only for heartbreak as a last gasp bit of poor defending allowed Slovenia a 90th minute equaliser.

South Sudan 1 DR Congo 4

Great news for Newcastle United and DR Congo, as Yoane Wissa looking good fitness-wise and in form. An assist and a goal, then subbed when 4-0 up to save him for Tuesday’s massive game against Senegal,, which could well decide which of the two qualifies for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Italy 5 Estonia 0

A typical quality all action display from Sandro Tonali. A match that Italy had to win and which they did very convincingly. The United midfielder one of a number of players rested once the match was won, Tonali subbed off at 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Denmark 0 Scotland 0

A first senior call up for Will Osula but the Newcastle United forward watched from the bench, as Denmark failing to score and disappointed not to win an opening World Cup group qualifying match they could and should have won.

Saturday 6 September

England 2 Andorra 0

The Newcastle United trio did themselves no harm in this tedious victory. Dan Burn probably had more touches than any other player as Andorra camped in their own half, the Newcastle defender never troubled in defence as he played the full game and was a threat at corners a couple of times, though most of the crosses were woeful. A first half own goal and a good second-half Rice header from a James cross, were the goals that earned the win. Gordon and Livramento were given the last 20 minutes and helped inject a little bit more spark and intensity, along with fellow subs Rogers and Gibbs-White.

Sunday 7 September

Germany 3 Northern Ireland 1

A vital win for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier and it took Nick Woltemade just seven minutes to make his mark. The Newcastle United striker playing in Serge Gnabry to give the home side the lead. Only for West Brom’s Isaac Price to grab a 34th minute equaliser for Northern Ireland. Germany’s goalscorer Gnabry and Woltemade who provided the assist, were both subbed off after an hour. Eventually Amiri and Wirtz getting the goals that ensured victory.

Monday 8 September

Israel 4 Italy 5

What a night for Sandro Tonali and Italy.

A must win World Cup group qualifier and they did it, eventually! Italy trailing 1-0 and 2-1, then led 4-2 when reaching the 87th minute, only to then end up 4-4 in the 89th minute.

Then came the moment, Sandro Tonali coming in off the left touchline and his shot from outside the box and across the keeper into the far bottom corner! Astonishing scenes.

Kosovo 2 Sweden 0

A disastrous result that surely all but ends Sweden’s chance of finishing top of the group and qualifying automatically for the 2026 World Cup. With four rounds of matches left, Switzerland are five points clear of Sweden and Fabian Schar’s countrymen look nailed on to take that automatic qualification place. Kosovo went 2-0 up inside 42 minutes and Anthony Elanga not able to make enough difference. He gave it everything but was eventually replaced by a clearly far from match fit Alexander Isak on 72 minutes, Tomasson having said previously that lack of football and group training at club level in recent months meaning he couldn’t play the striker. A desperate move with 18 minutes to go to throw an ineffective and unfit Isak on anyway. Emil Krafth also coming off the bench in that second-half, picking up a yellow card, as did Alexander Isak.

DR Congo v Senegal (Yoane Wissa) World Cup group qualifier

Serbia v England (Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group qualifier

Wednesday 10 September