The Teranga Lions of Senegal defeated the three Lions of England 3-1 in an international friendly at the City Ground. This victory is historic as it marks the first time the male English national team lost to an African team.
England started like a house on fire with their skipper, Harry Kane putting them ahead in the seventh minute with his 73rd international goal for England. Edouard Mendy failed to hold Anthony Gordon’s shot and Kane pounced to give England the lead.
The goal seemed to be a wakeup call to the Africans, who from then henceforth threw all they had at the home side who looked like fish out of water playing outside their traditional Wembley Stadium.
The 2021 AFCON champions restored parity five minutes before the break when Ismaila Sarr took advantage of Kyle Walker’s switch-off to steal in at the far post and scored. It was the first goal England conceded under Thomas Tuchel, but more were to come after the break.
Habib Diarra put the Africans in front two minutes after the hour mark. The stunned Three Lions could not fight back. Cheikh Sabaly put the icing on the cake and hand Thomas Tuchel his first defeat as England manager.
Before this match, the Three Lions have taken on African teams 21 times, winning 15 and drawing six times.
