Senegal made history on Tuesday night, becoming the first African team to defeat England’s men’s side, securing a commanding 3-1 victory in an international friendly at Nottingham’s City Ground. The result extended Senegal’s remarkable unbeaten streak to 24 matches, showcasing their growing prowess on the global stage.

The Lions of Teranga overcame an early setback when England captain Harry Kane capitalized on a spilled shot by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy to score in the seventh minute. However, Senegal responded with relentless energy, leveling the score before halftime through Ismaïla Sarr, who exploited a lapse by Kyle Walker. Habib Diarra put Senegal ahead just past the hour mark, and substitute Cheikh Sabaly sealed the historic win with a clinical stoppage-time strike.

England, under new manager Thomas Tuchel, struggled to find cohesion, with fans voicing their frustration through boos at the final whistle. A late Jude Bellingham goal was controversially disallowed for a handball by Levi Colwill, prompting captain Kane to question the VAR decision: “If you know the rules, it’s not handball.” Tuchel admitted post-match, “We were not active enough for long periods. We need to defend better.”

Senegal’s captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, hailed the victory as a milestone, telling BBC Radio 5 Live, “We showed our personality and proved we can compete at this level.” The result marks a significant moment for African football, with Senegal’s vibrant performance signaling their readiness for the 2026 World Cup.