Senegal stunned England to snap Thomas Tuchel’s perfect record in charge, winning 3-1 at the City Ground.
Last time out, the Three Lions consigned fans to a proper Gareth Southgate-like performance in Catalonia. It was a toothless attacking showing; a 1-0 win against Andorra – the world’s 173rd-ranked side – despite accruing 4.0xG and controlling 83% of the ball.
Tuchel’s side echoed the same conservative instincts that we saw under his predecessor. Jordan Henderson even made his first England start since 2023. It was all too irritatingly familiar.
Tonight, there were new faces but it was the same story. Trevoh Chalobah made his England debut, Dean Henderson earned just his third cap, and Bukayo Saka notched his first start under Tuchel. A total of 10 changes were made to Saturday’s floundering XI.
But it was the undroppable Harry Kane who made a breakthrough against after just seven minutes.
Anthony Gordon’s low shot was parried away by Edouard Mendy only into the path of Kane, who was on the scene instinctively. The nation’s all-time top goalscorer could not miss, and netted goal No 73 for his country in classic poacher’s fashion.
After playing a pivotal role in Kane’s goal, Gordon had a chance to double his side’s lead on 28 minutes. Beating his marker at the back post, the Newcastle winger got on the end of Kyle Walker’s cross.
Yet, with the goal at his mercy, Gordon astonishingly missed from less than five yards away. Soon after, he would be punished for his transgressions.
Senegal’s equaliser came courtesy of two stars from rival London clubs, setting aside their domestic differences to combine brilliantly. Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson teed up Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace to make it 1-1 in the 40th minute.
It was a lacklustre 45 minutes from England. They managed two big chances, as many as Senegal, and held only 49% possession. Senegal also bested the Three Lions in shots on target (six compared to two).
Dabble sign-up offer: Get a £10 free bet no deposit required
New customers can get a £10 free bet without depositing into their account with excellent new bookmaker Dabble.
- Go to Dabble using this link.
- Click 'Download Now' to download the app.
- Create your account within the app.
- £10 free bets will be credited following registration.
- Your bet must be wagered 1x at min odds of 1/2 (1.5) to be valid.
New customers only. Free Bets credited following registration. Must be wagered 1x at min odds of 1/2 (1.5). 7-day expiry. Stake not returned. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
And things only went from bad to worse in the second half. Habib Diarra broke through England’s high defensive line unchallenged, and had nothing but yards upon yards of grass between himself and Henderson.
Diarra carried the ball into the box and squeezed his shot under the legs of the England goalkeeper, finishing from a tight angle. The worst thing about it all? It wasn’t even against the run of play. England had just been unravelled for the umpteenth time on the night.
Tuchel desperately looked to his bench in search of a solution, making six second-half substitutions. But not even Jude Bellingham could muster a remontada. His goal from a corner was ruled offside after Levi Colwill was adjuged to have made contact with the ball using his arm in the build-up.
The nail in the coffin came in added time when Senegal made it 3-1. It was another devastating break from the visitors. Curtis Jones was crowded and dispossessed in midfield by Lamine Camara, who traversed the pitch and delivered a low cross into Cheikh Sabaly.
The Metz forward sealed it. After 22 attempts, England were defeated by an African nation for the first time ever.
It was only the second time in history that England had opened the scoring in a home game and then went on to lose by two or more goals. Tonight was the first time England had faced a team ranked inside FIFA’s top 50 nations under Tuchel and they conjured a dismal performance.
Prior to the game, they landed easy victories and clean sheets in third gear. But the narrative going forward will be that as soon Tuchel’s side matched up against a formidable opponent, they looked drab.
Booes rang around the City Ground at full-time. It was the second time in as many games that England’s fans turned their noses up at their team’s showing. Tuchel’s honeymoon is officially over.