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England midfielder links with captain to create first big chance in World Cup group match
A through ball from the midfielder set up the captain for the team's first Opta-defined big chance after 56 minutes. The same player later won a corner and assisted a second goal. Data showed the pair had combined for only one prior international goal.
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England created their first Opta-defined big chance of a World Cup group match when a midfielder delivered a through ball to the captain after 56 minutes against Panama. The midfielder also won a corner and scored from it before assisting the captain for a second goal within the next 10 minutes.
Opta data valued the midfielder's passes at 0.57 expected assists, the highest total by any England player in a group game.
Limited prior link-up The pair had combined for only one international goal before this tournament, in a 2023 friendly. Bellingham had created three chances for the captain across 1,154 minutes of shared time at major tournaments. Three players each played four passes to the captain against Panama. The midfielder needed only two of those passes to create high-value opportunities.
Next match England face the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday.
The opponent is expected to use a low defensive block.
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