Bukayo Saka became the third Arsenal player to provide an assist from a corner at this World Cup on Saturday night, keeping his strong World Cup record going.
Bukayo Saka #7 of England controls the ball under pressure from Jose Luis Rodriguez #7 and Jorge Gutierrez #26 of Panama during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 27, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Bukayo Saka made his first start of the 2026 World Cup against Panama on Saturday, having been eased into the tournament to avoid risking aggravating his injury.
Saka had already provided an assist in his cameo appearance against Croatia in England’s opening game, but he’d only featured as a substitute in that match and the following fixture against Ghana.
Given around an hour by England boss Thomas Tuchel against Panama, Saka left it late to break the deadlock. But just before he was due to come off, he found Jude Bellingham with a corner for 1-0.
Jude Bellingham #10 of England scores scoring the team's first goal against Orlando Mosquera #22 of Panama during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 27, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
That goal means all three Arsenal players to take corners at this World Cup have provided at least one assist from those corners, with Martin Odegaard setting up Leo Ostigard with Norway and Declan Rice assisting Harry Kane for England.
Arsenal have also seen one of their players score from a corner situation, with Leandro Trossard turning home from close range after a Belgium corner against New Zealand.
But more than that, it keeps Saka’s strong record at World Cup tournaments going.
Bukayo Saka #7 of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images
In Saka’s seven World Cup appearances so far, he’s scored three goals, provided two assists, and won a penalty leading to a goal in England’s 2022 quarter-final against France.
In per-minute terms, Saka has a goal or assist every 80 minutes at the World Cup. That’s not including the penalty he won, or the average would improve to one contribution every 67 minutes.
The knockout stage is next, so things won’t get any easier. But Saka has never shied away from knockout matches, and his last World Cup goal came in the last-16 in 2022.
Don’t be surprised if he finds his first goal at this tournament in the next match against D.R. Congo.
Bukayo Saka #7 and Declan Rice #4 of England react after the 4-2 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Arsenal star adds to his fantastic World Cup record
Bukayo Saka became the third Arsenal player to provide an assist from a corner at this World Cup on Saturday night, keeping his strong World Cup record going.
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