Staff Reporter.
Senegal handed England their first defeat by African opponents in 22 games on Tuesday, beating them 3-1 in a friendly at the City Ground thanks to goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly.
Senegal stretched their unbeaten streak to 24 games, while England’s loss, which included a disallowed late goal from Jude Bellingham for a handball in the build-up, was their first defeat in four games under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
England took the lead when captain Harry Kane struck in the seventh minute after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy spilled the ball into his path. The hosts conceded for the first time under Tuchel when Sarr caught Kyle Walker napping to poke in Nicolas Jackson’s cross in the 40th minute.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 62nd when Diarra fired through goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s legs. Sabaly struck deep into stoppage time, prompting boos from England fans after the final whistle.
England manager Thomas Tuchel speaking to ITV:
“Disappointing result. Not sure if we did not maybe deserve a little bit more result-wise, but it felt again a bit frozen, not active enough for a long time of the match.
“Defended quite well for a long period in the first half. Then our best period came when we were 2-1 down. I think we conceded the first two goals. Very easy goals that need to defend better. The reaction was good after we were down.
“I felt us suddenly kind of more active, more free, more fluid, more aggressive towards the opponent’s goals. We had big chances to equalise. We equalised [but it was disallowed] and got the last one [go in against us in stoppage-time].”