WATCH: Anthony Elanga scores stunner to send Sweden into World Cup knockout stages

It has been our theory that some of Newcastle United's players could find a new sense of belief by performing at the World Cup.

Unfortunately for Newcastle, our players who are out there with their respective countries aren't exactly getting the minutes we'd hoped.

Nick Woltemade has yet to kick a ball over there, although Malick Thiaw did get half an hour yesterday as Germany were humbled by Ecuador. Dan Burn is in the same boat as Woltemade, while Tino Livramento's tournament was over before it got started.

Bruno Guimaraes is having fun, though, and Yoane Wissa has managed to bag a goal in his opening game for DR Congo, but was pretty woeful in their second outing.

Anthony Elanga is continuing to impress

If anyone looks set to benefit from the World Cup, though, it's Sweden winger Anthony Elanga, who looks reborn over there.

The winger struggled all season for Newcastle and failed to get on the scoresheet in 32 Premier League appearances, and yet has now managed two sensational goals in three games for Sweden.

Last night, Elanga's stunning left-footed curling effort from outside the box was enough to bag a point for Sweden against Japan, which ensured that both nations progressed to the next stage. As well as his goal, Elanga scooped the Player of the Match award too.

Is next season Elanga's time to shine?

This is the player Newcastle paid £55 million for last season. Elanga absolutely has to absorb this confidence, whatever happens with Sweden now, and bring it back to Tyneside.

If we can get Elanga performing at this level for Newcastle, we can absolutely start to kick on. We were excited by the prospect of him marauding down the flank last year, but it just never played out how we wanted. He's shown over at the World Cup that he absolutely still has what it takes.

We've had to be way more patient than we'd have liked, but maybe, just maybe, he can prove us all wrong next season.