England 1-3 Senegal (Friendly) 10.06.25

For the first time in 84 years, the England men’s senior team played in Nottingham, but it was a night to forget, as Thomas Tuchel’s three Lions were beaten 3-1 by the Lions of Teranga.

England had previously played in Nottingham on three occasions, firstly at Trent Bridge, in 1897 when they beat Ireland 6-0, then in 1909 at the City Ground, against Wales whom they beat 2-0, and in 1941, against Wales again, winning 4-1 on April 26th.

But it wasn’t to be a fourth Rushcliffe win in time as Senegal, became the first African nation in history to beat England who lost their 100% winning record by the Trent.

The night started so well, in bathed sunshine the City Ground rose as Harry Kane opened the scoring after seven minutes, and when Anthony Gordon should have doubled, the home fans of 26,000 plus sighed at missed opportunity, that would eventually prove costly.

Ahead of half time, Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr levelled for Senegal after beating Kyle Walker to the ball, and in the second half, when changes were made, England fell behind.

Hometown hero Morgan Gibbs-White became the first Nottingham Forest player to play for his country at the City Ground, but he couldn’t help his nation falling as Habib Diarra raced through to score on 62.

Gibbs-White did have a chance to level after a delicate touch by Eze, when the goal opened up he hit hard and smashed towards the net, but Edouard Mendy in goal stood firm.

The Forest playmaker then had a hand in serving up Bukayo Saka to shoot low, Mendy tipping round the post after diving to his right, and as it looked a bleak night for England, a saviour, from the bench, in Jude Bellingham, proved likely, he bundled home from a corner but after a lengthy stoppage through VAR, it was decided by female Referee Frappart, that the goal would be disallowed. Rightly so as the French official spotted a hand ball in the lead up by Colwill, and in added time as England sent players forward, Curtis Jones was robbed in possession, Camara ran into space and broke before finding Cheikh Sabaly who crowned things off, in front of the travelling support, of which a couple of hundred no more, cheered to the rafters in the upper Bridgford Stand, meanwhile, the clatter of seats would be heard around the rest of the stadium as England fans headed for the exits.

For Senegal, the first African team to beat England, they are 24 matches unbeaten and have a very good football team right now. For England, not so good, after trudging through to a 1-0 victory against lowly ranked Andorra at the weekend, this defeat, the first of Coach Thomas Tuchel’s reign, will leave bitter taste upon season end, better next year is hoped, as England journey towards the World Cup finals in USA, Mexico and Canada.

England: Henderson, Walker, Chalobah, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly (Toney 88), Saka (Madueke 71), Gallagher (Jones 58), Rice (Bellingham 71), Gordon (Gibbs-White 58), Eze, Kane (Rogers 58).

Senegal: Mendy, Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf, Diarra (Pape Gueye 70), Idrissa Gueye, Camara, Sarr (Sabaly 70), Jackson (Dia 81), Ndiaye.

Venue: City Ground (26,322)

*Main image @England the England team line up at the City Ground.