'I knew': Anthony Elanga clarifies his reaction after Sweden progress to World Cup knockouts

A lot has been made of Anthony Elanga's reaction after his goal secured qualification in the Round of 32 at the World Cup on Friday.

Sweden's 1-1 draw with Japan was enough to see Graham Potter's side through the group stages of the competition, and it was Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga who netted the equalising goal that sent them through.

When the full-time whistle blew, though, Elanga sat on the floor looking very dejected as if he thought that his goal wasn't enough.

After the game, Graham Potter laughed it off, saying, “I love him at the moment but dear me.”

Elanga just wanted to win the game

Anthony Elanga has now said in an interview with the BBC that he knew Sweden had qualified, but he was upset because he wanted to win the game.

"The Japan game was a bit of a disappointment, but at the same time, a bit of joy because I wanted to win the game, I wanted to score again.

"Of course, I was told during the game that one point was enough. I'm a winner. I want to win every single game, and I wanted us to get some momentum and rhythm for the next round, but at the end of the day, one point was enough, and we're all happy with that.

"I knew we had qualified. I just wanted to win the game because I'm a winner, and I wanted to score more goals."

If you say so, mate

A likely story, Anthony. 

In all seriousness, there must have been so many emotions at that time; we can't imagine how he must have been feeling.

Thanks to Elanga, Bruno Guimaraes and Yoane Wissa, all six of Newcastle's World Cup lads are into the knockout stages, although Nick Woltemade and Dan Burn are still waiting to make their World Cup bow and Malick Thiaw has only managed about 30 minutes for Germany.