Alexander Isak was bizarrely denied a goal as he starred in Sweden’s 6-0 win over Azerbaijan.
Newcastle United’s star forward has been in great form since returning from a broken toe suffered in September.
Alexander Isak was hailed as “outstanding” by Paul Merson after scoring in three consecutive games for Newcastle in the lead-up to the November international break.
The break didn’t come at a great time for Newcastle, who would have preferred to carry their momentum into more Premier League matches, but Eddie Howe will be pleased that his star striker has continued his strong form and escaped the international break unscathed.
Alexander Isak will now return to Tyneside full of confidence after another successful spell with the Swedish squad, although he may be slightly frustrated that he was denied a fifth goal in five consecutive matches.
Alexander Isak involved in VAR controversy vs Azerbaijan
Isak endured a chaotic start to the international break after Sweden were forced to abandon their warm-weather training camp in Spain.
However, it clearly didn’t have much impact on him by matchday with Swedish media blown away by Isak’s display vs Slovakia.
It was striker partner Viktor Gyokeres who stole the headlines against Azerbaijan after scoring four goals in their 6-0 thumping.
However, Isak was extremely unlucky not to etch his name on the scoresheet too.
In first-half stoppage time, Isak was played through on the left and he carried the ball superbly, cut in and scored with a low-driven shot.
However, the goal was bizarrely ruled out for offside – a decision that left fans stunned.
Newcastle United fans stunned as Alexander Isak ‘robbed’ by VAR
It is quite clear that Isak was well onside by the time the pass was made to him on the left wing, yet the goal was disallowed and fans watching from home were left scratching their heads.
Via X, formerly known as Twitter, Newcastle fans were fuming that their star striker was denied a brilliant goal.
One fan wrote: “That’s a shocking decision not even close to being offside”, while another said: “Terrible decision. Who disallowed it? was that VAR? awful call”.
READ MORE: Whether Alexander Isak is happy at Newcastle after his agent is left ‘shocked’ by contract stance
A third added: “How the hell is that offside lol. Been robbed of a world-class goal.”
Some fans picked up on the costly mistake that VAR seemed to make: “They draw the line on Isak from the point in play where the ball is played from the centre half into Gyokeres feet & not from when Gyokeres played the ball to Isak”
Another supporter pointed out: “Apparently confirmed wrongdoing from VAR who marked the wrong person to draw the line and so made a wrong call”.
Isak also missed a penalty minutes into the second half. It wasn’t to be for the Newcastle star on the night.
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