England’s long-standing unbeaten record against African teams came to a dramatic end on Tuesday night as they fell 3-1 to Senegal in a friendly match at the City Ground.
The defeat marked the Three Lions’ first loss to African opposition in 22 encounters.
Having previously faced the likes of Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire without suffering a single defeat, England’s run was finally halted by a spirited Senegalese side that came from behind to snatch victory.
Despite taking an early lead through Harry Kane, England were undone by goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Chiekh Sabaly, suffering their first loss under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The match began brightly for the hosts, with Harry Kane opening the scoring in the seventh minute.
A slick combination involving Eberechi Eze and Conor Gallagher set up Anthony Gordon for a tame shot that Edouard Mendy failed to hold, allowing Kane to pounce and convert the loose ball.
Senegal pulled level five minutes before halftime. Idrissa Gana Gueye lofted a clever pass over the English backline, finding Nicolas Jackson, who slipped past his Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah and squared for Ismaila Sarr to beat Kyle Walker and poke in the equaliser.
The Teranga Lions then went ahead in the 62nd minute. Kalidou Koulibaly launched a precise long ball that caught Myles Lewis-Skelly and Levi Colwill out of position.
Habib Diarra seized the opportunity, cutting in from the right and nutmegging Dean Henderson at his near post.
England thought they had drawn level in the 84th minute when Jude Bellingham found the back of the net.
However, the goal was disallowed after a handball by Levi Colwill, who had risen to meet Noni Madueke’s corner.
Senegal sealed the victory deep into stoppage time. After Curtis Jones lost possession, Lamine Camara crossed into the box for Chiekh Sabaly, who escaped Chalobah’s marking and slotted in the third to cap off a historic win for the African champions.
