England suffered their first-ever defeat by African opposition – in their 22nd match against nations from that continent – as they lost 3-1 to Senegal in an international friendly game at the City Ground on Tuesday.
The Three Lions had met African heavyweights like Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire in 21 previous meetings with African opposition without defeat.
But the unbeaten streak was finally ended as the Teranga Lions came from 1-0 down to triumph.
Harry Kane’s early opener was overturned by strikes from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Chiekh Sabaly as England suffered their first defeat under Thomas Tuchel.
England were in front on seven minutes with a neat move, involving Eberechi Eze and Conor Gallagher, who fed Anthony Gordon for a weak shot which Edouard Mendy spilled, allowing Kane to stab home.
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Senegal equalised with five minutes left in the first half as Gana Gueye’s lofted ball over the top allowed Nicolas Jackson to nip in behind his Chelsea team-mate Trevoh Chalobah and cut back for Sarr who outpaced Kyle Walker to poke home.
In the 62nd minute Senegal took the lead. Kalidou Koulibaly’s searching pass left Myles Lewis-Skelly and Levi Colwill horribly exposed, allowing Diarra to cut in from the right and nutmeg FA Cup winner with Crystal Palace Dean Henderson at his near post.
Bellingham thought he had equalised for England on 84 minutes only for the effort to be ruled out for handball against Levi Colwill when the Chelsea defender met a Noni Madueke corner.
Then late in the 93rd minute, Curtis Jones lost possession, Lamine Camara centred for Chiekh Sabaly to lose Chalobah and stick home the third goal.
12 Comments
Senegal are a very good side and deserve their win against England. A very quick, pacy and purposeful team with drive and energy.
I can’t see any team that can beat them at this year’s AFCON- not Morocco, the host and best FIFA ranked African team, and certainly not Nigeria or Ivory Coast- from how they played England today.
You’re right @Tony K. Senegal might be winning their 2nd Afcon by December/January. This wasn’t a fluke win. It was deserved. Their fluid, commanding against an England Team A with all the Kanes, Bellingham, Saka, and Ezes was shocking, almost intimidating.
And to think their coach is a certain very young Pape Thiaw, a 44-year-old former player, 2023 CHAN winner as coach and assistant to former coach Aliou Cisse.
Now just check out the age bracket and profile of these new group these wave-making African coaches – Emerson Fae of CIV, Nigeria’s Eric Chelle, and Ghana’s Otto Ado. Young, 40-ish, not so spectacular playing careers but solid coaching skills learning under established European coaches in foreign clubs, attack-minded with a good grasp of the modern rudiments of the game.
Next Afcon is going to be a bomb.
Una don start o…the even predict who go win the next afcon…lol…okay o…make una dey play
Una don forget say if na African team against another African team it’s always different… because na the same black men with the same energy the pitch…not like the ajebo ajebo English side…. Dont be surprised say this same Senegal team wey una dey hail stubborn teams like dr congo go shake dem….
But in all I enjoyed the game and am so happy for them….
They did it for Africa
The super eagles needs to watch it very well as it is the most recent video of an African team against a foreign opposition that we came out victorious…And see if they can replicate something of that nature at next years world cup when we qualify
Oh boy what you have to learn is that in football, you can’t predict the outcome of any future game based on a team’s performance against a different opponent in a different game, style of play and other in-play conditions are what determine football games and they are on a game to game basis, so your submission no really make any sense guy – maybe you are new to football because that is schoolboy thinking – yes Senegal were very good tonight, every player is at a very high standard, that Ismaila Sarr is just getting better with age like a fine wine, but you never know and even though we are not at our best by far, I will not simply write us off against them or anyone at the moment apart from some European teams and that one again is not only based on pure football but other reasons as well – ask yourself why the Europeans are still beating African teams even if when they are not necessarily the better team on the day.
On a different, note, our result against Russia is looking even more impressive now if you look at their recent results, and to be fair, I don’t know if this Senegal team would have beaten them.
Congratulations to Senegal. I’m impressed with their performance against England.
I hope Super Eagles can do the same with the English team. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Hey bro, Let’s be honest with ourselves—Senegal is not just flexing muscle randomly. Their rise in African and global football isn’t spiritual or accidental; it’s deeply strategic. What we’re witnessing today is the harvest of deliberate, patient investment in youth, structure, and continuity.
Meanwhile, we in Nigeria have been busy arguing over “federal character,” playing musical chairs with corruption-laden selections from top to bottom. We’re assembling all-star Zoom squads of abroad-born players, many of whom treat the Super Eagles as a backup plan—a second option at best. While we were caught up in these distractions, Senegal quietly went back to the grassroots, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work.
Let’s even start with the receipts: Senegal have dominated youth football in recent years. U17 AFCON? They won it. U20 AFCON? They claimed that one too. CHAN? Add that to the shopping cart.
And they didn’t just win—they bullied teams. These weren’t random tournaments; they were deliberate pipelines of talent. Many of those players are now in France, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, England, Germany, Italy—you name it. They’re playing real minutes in Europe, building chemistry, gaining confidence, and now returning to the senior national team with proper boots, not “I-know-somebody-in-NFF” slippers.
In fact, Senegalese players born in France are the ones now lobbying to play for Senegal, not the other way around. Why? Because they know the homegrown talents are just as good—if not better. That’s how strong the structure is.
Take a good look at Senegal’s current squad and you’ll see balance—youth and experience fused like suya and onions.
You’ve got experienced heads like Koulibaly and Mane mentoring hungry young lions like: Lamine Camara (U20, class of 2023), Pape Matar Sarr (U17, class of 2019), and Mikayil Faye (2019–2021 U17 star).
Now ask yourself: Can you name one single player from Nigeria’s underage team in recent time currently in the Super Eagles? Only Olakunle Olusegun of Krasnodar FC in Russia, or maybe Benjamin Fredrick of Brentford U23 in Brentford—and even for me, those were fluke selections for the friendly against Russia and for the Unity Cup in Brentford when the regulars suddenly had “excuses.” And let’s not deceive ourselves— those matches were played where those players are based, so It was a decision of proximity and convenience, not merit.
Meanwhile in Senegal, there’s continuity, structure, and succession. They’re not just playing football—they’re playing long-term chess.
Now let’s contrast that with Nigeria —the so-called “giant” of Africa that’s been snoring at the wheel since 2015.
The last time we lifted a meaningful youth trophy was at the U17 World Cup in Chile 10 yeaes ago when Osimhen and Chukwueze dazzled the world. Since then? Nothing but heartbreak.
Our U17s can’t even qualify from WAFU B anymore. And let’s not forget—CAF expanded the U17 AFCON to TEN slots. Ten! Not four. Not six. Ten o. That’s like WAEC extending registration by six months, and you still missed it!
Truth is, our youth development program isn’t just weak—it’s dead, buried, and the funeral reception has already held. The only thing rising in our football system is the average age of the Super Eagles squad, which is hovering around 27, maybe even 28 if you shake the table well. And who are the replacements?
We’ve been lazy—relying on scouting players in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam, as if passports are tactics. And before anyone misquotes me, there’s nothing wrong with foreign-born talent. But when your national team strategy is to ignore Gombe, Enugu, Kaduna and Owerri, and rely solely on postcodes like NW10 and SE15, you’re not building success—you’re renting it.
While Senegal is blending grassroots products into a cohesive machine, Nigeria is still doing audition tapes every international window. No structure. No continuity. Just vibes and “God will help us.”
So yes—Senegal beat England. Applaud them. But don’t stop there—study them. Because until we take youth development seriously again. Until we stop treating the U17s as political slots instead of talent nurseries, we’ll keep dragging calculators and prayer points during World Cup qualifiers while Senegal dances into tournaments with confidence and swagger.
Football is not a mystery, my brother. It’s planning. Senegal planned. Nigeria postponed. Simple.
The Senegalese were a beauty to watch. They played with great confidence and beautiful passes. They possess great ball sense.
This is what we call positive football. Unlike some that are always passing backwards aimlessly.
They need to be taught be Senegal.
Great attacking football. They were good in all departments of the field.
I salute the Senegalese team.
You are absolutely correct
They were simply amazing with beautiful football
Let’s be honest with ourselves—Senegal is not just flexing muscle randomly. Their rise in African and global football isn’t spiritual or accidental; it’s deeply strategic. What we’re witnessing today is the harvest of deliberate, patient investment in youth, structure, and continuity.
Meanwhile, we in Nigeria have been busy arguing over “federal character,” playing musical chairs with corruption-laden selections from top to bottom. We’re assembling all-star Zoom squads of abroad-born players, many of whom treat the Super Eagles as a backup plan—a second option at best. While we were caught up in these distractions, Senegal quietly went back to the grassroots, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work.
Let’s even start with the receipts: Senegal have dominated youth football in recent years. U17 AFCON? They won it. U20 AFCON? They claimed that one too. CHAN? Add that to the shopping cart.
And they didn’t just win—they bullied teams. These weren’t random tournaments; they were deliberate pipelines of talent. Many of those players are now in France, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, England, Germany, Italy—you name it. They’re playing real minutes in Europe, building chemistry, gaining confidence, and now returning to the senior national team with proper boots, not “I-know-somebody-in-NFF” slippers.
In fact, Senegalese players born in France are the ones now lobbying to play for Senegal, not the other way around. Why? Because they know the homegrown talents are just as good—if not better. That’s how strong the structure is.
Take a good look at Senegal’s current squad and you’ll see balance—youth and experience fused like suya and onions.
You’ve got experienced heads like Koulibaly and Mane mentoring hungry young lions like: Lamine Camara (U20, class of 2023), Pape Matar Sarr (U17, class of 2019), and Mikayil Faye (2019–2021 U17 star).
Now ask yourself: Can you name one single player from Nigeria’s underage team in recent time currently in the Super Eagles? Only Olakunle Olusegun of Krasnodar FC in Russia, or maybe Benjamin Fredrick of Brentford U23 in Brentford—and even for me, those were fluke selections for the friendly against Russia and for the Unity Cup in Brentford when the regulars suddenly had “excuses.” And let’s not deceive ourselves— those matches were played where those players are based, so It was a decision of proximity and convenience, not merit.
Meanwhile in Senegal, there’s continuity, structure, and succession. They’re not just playing football—they’re playing long-term chess.
Now let’s contrast that with Nigeria —the so-called “giant” of Africa that’s been snoring at the wheel since 2015.
The last time we lifted a meaningful youth trophy was at the U17 World Cup in Chile 10 yeaes ago when Osimhen and Chukwueze dazzled the world. Since then? Nothing but heartbreak.
Our U17s can’t even qualify from WAFU B anymore. And let’s not forget—CAF expanded the U17 AFCON to TEN slots. Ten! Not four. Not six. Ten o. That’s like WAEC extending registration by six months, and you still missed it!
Truth is, our youth development program isn’t just weak—it’s dead, buried, and the funeral reception has already held. The only thing rising in our football system is the average age of the Super Eagles squad, which is hovering around 27, maybe even 28 if you shake the table well. And who are the replacements?
We’ve been lazy—relying on scouting players in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam, as if passports are tactics. And before anyone misquotes me, there’s nothing wrong with foreign-born talent. But when your national team strategy is to ignore Gombe, Enugu, Kaduna and Owerri, and rely solely on postcodes like NW10 and SE15, you’re not building success—you’re renting it.
While Senegal is blending grassroots products into a cohesive machine, Nigeria is still doing audition tapes every international window. No structure. No continuity. Just vibes and “God will help us.”
So yes—Senegal beat England. Applaud them. But don’t stop there—study them. Because until we take youth development seriously again. Until we stop treating the U17s as political slots instead of talent nurseries, we’ll keep dragging calculators and prayer points during World Cup qualifiers while Senegal dances into tournaments with confidence and swagger.
Football is not a mystery, my brother. It’s planning. Senegal planned. Nigeria postponed. Simple.
Playing the devil’s advocate; just maybe, the English team are mostly overhyped as they always are. They barely beat Andorra the other day.
That said, not underappreciating what the Senegalese did or how good their team is. But the Afcon is a different kettle entirely.
Is Senegal a good team? Yes. They have been developing since Senegal 92. Then became a force and churning out quality since 2000.
Can they win the Afcon? Possible. But so can 8 other teams. Morocco, Egypt, Ivory coast, Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Tunisia are all contenders. Not forgetting the perennial spoilers like Burkina Faso, Mali, Zambia, and DRC. Who also have a chance to win too. That is how tough and unpredictable the AFCON is.
Though this win can be a motivation to build on, I won’t be too hasty to correlate it with Senegal winning the AFCON. I am sure the Senegalese are wise to this as well.
Lets stop with the overhyping as usual. Its a friendly. Knowing the english mentality they dont really care for friendlies or uefa nations league cup, hence how they got relegated to league b in the uefa nations league. Thomas tuchel made 10 changes to the lineup and only kept harry kane. All the english people keep saying its nonsense not serious, hence why they can never have a wining mentality, they dont take the competitions seriously. They keep saying the nations league is a glorified friendly. I mean in world cup 2022, england beat senegal. But its the fact that they lost to an african team for the first time in their history. With how stacked england are they should of beat them with the 2nd or even third team.
Congratulations Senegal..Though Jude Bellingham’s second half equaliser was a legitimate goal in my opinion.
Had Bellingham’s goal stood,result would have gone either way..Little details like that can decide games