‘I love you’ - Anthony Elanga issues apology to Newcastle United teammate
Two Newcastle United stars come up against each other on international duty.
Anthony Elanga got the better of Newcastle United teammate Amar Dedic as Sweden beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-2 to secure promotion in the UEFA Nations League.
The Magpies pair missed the first meeting between the two nations in October as they recovered from injuries, but both were named in their respective starting line-ups in Solna on Saturday night.
The two countries couldn't be separated in Bosnia last month, playing out a 1-1 draw. However, Sweden just about came out on top in the reverse fixture.
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Sweden went into half-time leading 3-0, with Elanga claiming an assist for Daniel Svensson's fifth-minute opener. Viktor Gyokeres then converted two penalties either side of Alexander Isak having a goal disallowed for offside.
However, Bosnia threatened a comeback in the second half, with goals from Armin Gigovic and Sead Kolasinac reducing the deficit to 3-2 just after the hour mark, but the hosts ultimately held on to confirm top spot in Group 4 and secure promotion back to League A.
Elanga featured for an hour before being replaced by Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski, while Dedic played the full 90 minutes.
Anthony Elanga sends apology message to Amar Dedic
After the game, Elanga took to social media to apologise to Dedic after Sweden pipped Bosnia to top spot. Bosnia will instead have to compete in a play-off as they also look to secure promotion to League A.
On Instagram, Newcastle United wrote: “Anthony Elanga delivered a brilliant assist as Sweden came out on top tonight against Amar Dedić's Bosnia and Herzegovina in their UEFA Nations League clash.”
Elanga then commented on the post, tagging Dedic before writing: “Sorry bratskoo, I love you and I will see you next Thursday.”
With Sweden and Bosnia's positions in the group now confirmed, both nations will be playing for little more than pride in their final round of matches on Tuesday. Sweden travel to Poland, while Bosnia host Romania.
Meanwhile, Will Osula came on as a 73rd-minute substitute in Denmark’s 4-1 win in Portugal to earn only his third cap.
Denmark were 4-0 up at the time of Osula’s introduction via Rasmus Hojlund’s brace and goals from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joachim Andersen before Bernardo Silva netted a late consolation.
Osula’s side will secure second spot on a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals if they avoid defeat at home to second place Norway on Tuesday.