Sweden were blown apart by the Netherlands and conceded five goals in a crucial game on Saturday evening, but Anthony Elanga still emerged as their bright spot. The Newcastle winger came off the bench in the 56th minute, scored within two minutes, and soon after produced a dazzling move that went viral online.
Elanga received the ball on the flank, beat Micky van de Ven with a feint and a nutmeg, and drew reactions on X such as, "He just destroyed Van de Ven," and, "He made him look slow, what insane ability. He finished him. How the hell did that happen?!" After the dribble, Elanga crossed into the middle of the box, but no teammate connected with it.
Thierry Henry praised the Sweden international, saying that once Elanga entered, Sweden immediately looked dangerous. "His explosiveness changed the game completely," Henry said, adding that Elanga went straight at defenders, won one-on-ones, and forced the Netherlands to defend deeper. Henry said people would talk about the goal, but that the rest of his performance impressed him even more.
Henry also argued that Elanga's dribbling, direct running and ability to attack defenders gave Sweden something they lacked from the first whistle. He questioned the decision not to start him, and concluded that Elanga is too important to Sweden to be used only as a substitute, especially when they are chasing the game. "Sweden is off without him and alive with him," Henry said.
