Bukayo Saka’s stunning strike against Wales means he is now our all-time leading England goalscorer, overtaking Cliff Bastin and breaking an 86-year record in the process.
Our winger produced a trademark effort at Wembley, cutting inside before curling into the top corner to make it 3-0 for Thomas Tuchel’s side in an international friendly.
The goal was Saka’s 13th, 1,562 days after his first for the Three Lions against Austria in June 2021 at Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough.
Saka goes clear of cliff
The number 13 might be unlucky for some, but that’s not the case for Bukayo, who is now clear of Cliff Bastin’s 12 efforts for England.
Cliff’s first goal came against Italy on his second England appearance back in May 1933. His last effort came in his first England cap, netting a penalty against France on May 26, 1938.
It’s fitting that Bukayo’s record-breaking goal, 86 years after Bastin’s last strike, would come against Wales, the nation he made his England debut against on October 8, 2020.
Bukayo has hit a host of landmarks during his England career to date. In September 2022, he became the first player in our history to be named England’s Player of the Year for the 2021/22 season.
He won the honour for a second successive season in 2022/23, having netted three times at the FIFA World Cup for England against Iran and Senegal.
His first senior career hat-trick came in an England jersey, scoring three times in a 5-0 victory over North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifying. Helping the Three Lions go all the way to the final at Euro 2024, Bukayo netted a crucial equaliser in the eventual penalty shootout win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Bukayo Saka’s England goal breakdown
Opponent
Date
Competition
Austria
June 2, 2021
Friendly
Andorra
September 5, 2021
World Cup qualifier
Andorra
October 9, 2021
World Cup qualifier
San Marino
November 15, 2021
World Cup qualifer
Iran
November 21, 2022
World Cup 2022
Iran
November 21, 2022
World Cup 2022
Senegal
December 4, 2022
World Cup 2022
Ukraine
March 26, 2023
Euro 2024 qualifer
North Macedonia
June 19, 2023
Euro 2024 qualifer
North Macedonia
June 19, 2023
Euro 2024 qualifer
North Macedonia
June 19, 2023
Euro 2024 qualifer
Switzerland
July 6, 2024
Euro 2024
Wales
October 9, 2025
Friendly
Read more
Captain Rice plus wins for Timber & Norgaard
Our 31 England goal scorers
Bukayo is one of 31 players to score for England while playing for Arsenal at the same time. We are just the fifth club to have more than 30 England goalscorers, alongside Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United.
How many of our England goal scorers can you name? Take the quiz below now to try your luck!
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