England were handed a humbling 3-1 defeat by a spirited Senegal side on Tuesday night in Nottingham, with the African champions producing a commanding performance that exposed cracks in Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions.
The hosts got off to a promising start when captain Harry Kane tapped home in the seventh minute after Anthony Gordon’s shot was parried. It was Kane’s fourth goal in four games under Tuchel, a feat no other England player has achieved under a new manager. However, England’s early confidence was short-lived.
Senegal struck back before halftime through Ismaila Sarr, who capitalised on defensive sloppiness to level the scores. The second half was a different story entirely. England faltered under pressure as Habib Diarra fired Senegal ahead just after the hour mark, exploiting a lethargic English backline.
A moment of hope arrived late in the game when Jude Bellingham thought he had equalised, only for VAR to disallow the goal due to a handball by Levi Colwill in the buildup. It was a controversial call, but Senegal quickly put the result beyond doubt. Substitute Cheikh Sabaly pounced on another defensive lapse in stoppage time to net a deserved third goal, securing Senegal’s first-ever victory over England and becoming the first African nation in history to beat the Three Lions.
The final whistle was met with loud boos from the City Ground crowd as England were left to reflect on a disjointed performance. Manager Thomas Tuchel admitted his side had been “frozen,” lacking movement, bravery, and fluidity in possession. “We conceded two very easy goals,” Tuchel said in his post-match interview. “It’s a tough lesson, but a useful one. We need to defend smarter and be braver in midfield.”
Tuchel also defended his decision to delay Ivan Toney’s introduction until the final minutes, despite Kane being subbed off just before the hour mark. “We wanted to play with more fluid players like Morgan Rogers. The game didn’t suit Toney’s style until later on,” he explained.
Kyle Walker, making his 96th appearance, struggled visibly throughout the game and drew criticism for a sluggish display. At 35, his place in the squad—let alone the starting lineup—is under increasing scrutiny, particularly with younger right-backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James in contention.
In contrast, debutant Trevoh Chalobah offered a rare bright spot for England. Paired with the underperforming Walker, the Chelsea defender impressed with his composure and presence, staking a quiet claim as a rotational option for the national team.
Senegal boss Pape Thiaw praised his side’s resolve, especially after conceding early. “We showed great mentality. In the second half, we were able to impose our game more. I’m proud of the players and the federation for enabling us to play these kinds of matches,” Thiaw said. He also applauded his squad’s younger players for integrating well during a productive international window that also included a draw against the Republic of Ireland.
Though Tuesday’s defeat was only a friendly, the significance will not be lost on either camp. For England, it serves as a warning with the 2026 World Cup just a year away. For Senegal, it was a night of historic triumph—one that will be celebrated across West Africa.
As for Tuchel, he remains calm but admits there is work to do. “No panic,” he assured. “But we must improve—and quickly.”
