England stunned by Senegal to put Thomas Tuchel under immediate pressure

Senegal's Habib Diarra scores their second goal. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 11, 2025, 10:50 AM

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LONDON – England slumped to a 3-1 home friendly defeat by Senegal on June 10 to ramp up the scrutiny on boss Thomas Tuchel one year out from the 2026 World Cup.

Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly inflicted England’s first-ever defeat against African opposition at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground after Harry Kane had given the hosts an early lead.

Tuchel was scathing in his criticism of his side’s dreary display in beating minnows Andorra just 1-0 in World Cup qualifying on June 7.

The German, who was appointed with the task of ending England’s wait since 1966 for a major tournament win, suffered his first defeat in four games in charge.

“We need to see the players under these kinds of conditions against one of the top 20 teams in the world to be smarter,” he said. “We don’t go next week to the World Cup. We go in one year.”

Tuchel responded by making 10 changes, with Kane the only player to retain his place.

It took just seven minutes for the Bayern Munich striker to maintain his record of scoring in every game – and his 73rd international goal – since Tuchel took charge.

Dean Henderson was given a rare chance to impress in the England goal as Jordan Pickford was relegated to the bench. The Crystal Palace stopper made impressive saves from his club teammate Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye.

But he was helpless when Sarr made the most of a lack of concentration from Kyle Walker to meet Nicolas Jackson’s cross and fire into the bottom corner.

England had never lost to African opposition in 21 previous matches but Senegal had been beaten just once from open play since losing to the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup.

“Not good enough. We had moments, but with and without the ball things aren’t clicking, we’re not finding the right tempo,” said Kane. “We’ve lost that aggressive nature that we had.”

Diarra was afforded acres of room to run in behind the England defence and slot between the legs of Henderson to put the visitors in front just after the hour mark.

England thought they had levelled late on when Jude Bellingham smashed home from a corner. But the goal was ruled out for a handball by Levi Colwill before the ball broke to the Real Madrid midfielder.

Senegal made the most of that reprieve to seal a famous win in stoppage time when Sabaly rounded off a slick counter-attack.

Boos rained down from the disgruntled home support to leave Tuchel with plenty to ponder before England are next in action in September. AFP

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