In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Newcastle United's very own Anthony Elanga and Emil Krafth were on the field as Sweden suffered an unexpected 2-0 defeat to Kosovo on Monday night.

This match was supposed to be a cakewalk for the Swedes, yet their World Cup qualification hopes now hang by a thread following this dismal performance at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokkri.

A Game to Forget for Newcastle Stars

Anthony Elanga found himself starting the match under coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, while Krafth came off the bench after a silent outing in the previous game against Slovenia.

In a separate note, former Newcastle player Alexander Isak had a subdued debut for Liverpool, featuring for the last 15 minutes but not making any significant impact.

Swedish Media Torn Apart the Performances

Sweden's shocking loss places them 66 places above Kosovo in the FIFA rankings, making this an even bigger upset. The performances by Elanga and Krafth drew heavy criticism from local media.

Freddie Ljungberg couldn’t hide his disbelief at Elanga’s questionable substitution against Slovenia, asserting that he could have been a game-changer had he remained on the pitch. Unfortunately for Elanga, he was once again subbed off, this time for Isak.

Krafth entered the game in the 66th minute, quickly earning a yellow card following Isak’s booking. Despite his efforts, his presence couldn't alter Sweden's course, as even Isak failed to shake off the blues.

Mixed Reviews from the Press

While the media had praised Elanga’s performance in the prior match against Slovenia, they turned critical after his latest display in Kosovo. Fotbollskanalen refrained from giving him a rating, simply stating he was 'invisible' and rarely posed a threat.

Meanwhile, Svenskafans didn’t hold back, giving Elanga a dismal 1/5 score, describing him as 'anonymous' with a performance marred by poor passes and inaccurate crosses.

Krafth's Versatile Role Under Scrutiny

As for Emil Krafth, the utility player known for his versatility as both a right-back and center-back, faced scrutiny as well. He tried to create an impact late in the game but couldn't turn around Sweden's fortunes.

Interestingly, Fotbollskanalen avoided rating Krafth too harshly but noted that he struggled to prove himself as Sweden chased a comeback.

Svenskafans, however, still handed him a less-than-stellar 2/5, attributing his marginally better performance to not being as poor as the rest of the defense.

The Road Ahead for Elanga and Krafth

Both players will return to Newcastle training without injuries, but their confidence may have taken a significant hit following these back-to-back disappointments. As they gear up for the next season, the pressure will be on to bounce back and reclaim their form.