England faced their first-ever loss in 22 matches against Senegal, as the West African team delivered an impressive 3-1 victory in a friendly played at the City Ground on Tuesday. With this result, Senegal extended their unbeaten run to 24 games, while handing Thomas Tuchel his first defeat since taking charge of the England national team.
Although England took an early lead through captain Harry Kane, who capitalized on a rebound from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the seventh minute, they struggled to maintain control. Despite a heavily rotated lineup, England couldn’t match Senegal’s pace and precision.
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Ismaila Sarr netted the equalizer just before halftime, slipping past Kyle Walker to convert Nicolas Jackson’s low cross — the first goal England had conceded under Tuchel.
Senegal dominated the second half. Habib Diarra scored their second goal in the 62nd minute, finishing calmly through Dean Henderson’s legs after a well-timed pass. England attempted to fight back, with Jude Bellingham having a goal disallowed for handball and Bukayo Saka denied by Mendy’s sharp reflexes. Substitute Cheikh Sabaly sealed the win in stoppage time with a third goal, sparking frustration among the home fans.
Post-match, Kane admitted the performance was below par, stating that the team lacked cohesion and intensity. Tuchel echoed those sentiments, noting that England appeared passive and disjointed for long periods and that the team needs to improve quickly ahead of the World Cup.
Senegal outshone England in nearly all aspects, recording nine shots on target compared to England’s four. Sarr had an early header saved, and Gordon missed a clear chance to double England’s lead before halftime.
The match highlighted Senegal’s rise as a formidable force in international football, while England now faces urgent questions about team chemistry, tactics, and readiness for the upcoming tournament. Kane acknowledged the need for swift progress, urging the squad to find their rhythm amid the changes and new strategies being implemented.
