When England walked out at the City Ground on 10 June 2025, few in the stands could have predicted what was about to unfold. For the first time in 22 matches against African opposition, the Three Lions suffered defeat — and it came at the hands of a Senegal side that was disciplined, dynamic, and ruthlessly efficient. The England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team clash had been billed as a routine end-of-season international friendly, but it turned into one of the most surprising and consequential results of Thomas Tuchel’s fledgling tenure as England manager.
This deep-dive covers everything you need to know: the England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team lineups, the full match timeline, official statistics, player ratings, tactical dissection, and what this result means for England ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Disclaimer: This article is written for informational and SEO purposes. All match data, lineups, statistics and timeline information are sourced from official and reputable outlets including UEFA.com, the England Football Association (englandfootball.com), ESPN, Sports Mole, and OptaJoe. Statistics such as exact possession percentages and shot counts are drawn from available published sources and may vary marginally across different data providers. Player ratings represent editorial opinion based on reported performances. This article is not affiliated with UEFA, The FA, or the Senegalese Football Federation.
Match Overview
The England vs Senegal fixture was the final game of England’s 2024–25 international season. Tuchel made a massive ten changes from the side that had beaten Andorra 1–0 just three days earlier in World Cup qualifying, giving the match a rotational feel. In contrast, Senegal — unbeaten in 23 consecutive matches — came to Nottingham with genuine hunger and cohesion.
England started brightly, with Harry Kane scoring in the seventh minute, continuing his extraordinary record of netting in each of Tuchel’s first four games in charge. But Senegal, marshalled by skipper Kalidou Koulibaly and inspired by the electric Ismaïla Sarr, gradually took control. By the time Cheikh Sabaly slotted home a third in stoppage time, the Lions of Teranga had made history on English soil.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs Senegal (International Friendly) |
| Date | Tuesday, 10 June 2025 |
| Venue | City Ground, Nottingham, England |
| Kick-off | 7:45 PM BST (18:45 UTC) |
| Result | England 1–3 Senegal |
| Half-Time Score | 1–1 |
| England Goalscorer | Harry Kane (7′) |
| Senegal Goalscorers | Ismaïla Sarr (40′), Habib Diarra (62′), Cheikh Sabaly (90’+3′) |
| England Manager | Thomas Tuchel |
| Senegal Manager | Pape Bouna Thiaw |
| Attendance | ~30,000 (City Ground capacity) |
| Referee | Stéphanie Frappart (FRA) |
| Notable | England’s first-ever defeat to an African nation (22 matches) |
England National Football Team Vs Senegal National Football Team Lineups
England Starting XI – Formation: 4-4-2
| # | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Dean Henderson | GK | Crystal Palace |
| 2 | Kyle Walker | RB | Manchester City |
| 23 | Trevoh Chalobah | CB | Chelsea |
| 6 | Levi Colwill | CB | Chelsea |
| 21 | Myles Lewis-Skelly | LB | Arsenal |
| 25 | Bukayo Saka | RM | Arsenal |
| 24 | Conor Gallagher | CM | Atlético Madrid |
| 4 | Declan Rice | CM | Arsenal |
| 11 | Anthony Gordon | LM | Newcastle United |
| 15 | Eberechi Eze | AM (No. 10) | Crystal Palace |
| 9 | Harry Kane (C) | ST | Bayern Munich |
England Substitutes Used
| Minute | Player On | Player Off | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59′ | Morgan Gibbs-White | Anthony Gordon | Nottingham Forest |
| 59′ | Curtis Jones | Conor Gallagher | Liverpool |
| 59′ | Morgan Rogers | Harry Kane | Aston Villa |
| 71′ | Jude Bellingham | Declan Rice | Real Madrid |
| 71′ | Noni Madueke | Bukayo Saka | Chelsea |
| 88′ | Ivan Toney | Myles Lewis-Skelly | Al Ahli |
England Unused Substitutes
Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jordan Henderson, Dan Burn, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, James Trafford
Head Coach: Thomas Tuchel (GER)
Senegal Starting XI – Formation: 4-3-3
| # | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Édouard Mendy | GK | Al Ahli |
| 11 | Krépin Diatta | RB | Monaco |
| 3 | Kalidou Koulibaly (C) | CB | Al Hilal |
| 5 | Moussa Niakhaté | CB | Nottingham Forest |
| 22 | El Hadji Malick Diouf | LB | Stoke City |
| 8 | Habib Diarra | CM | RC Strasbourg |
| 6 | Idrissa Gana Gueye | CM | Everton |
| 7 | Lamine Camara | CM | AS Monaco |
| 11 | Ismaïla Sarr | RW | Crystal Palace |
| 9 | Nicolas Jackson | ST | Chelsea |
| 19 | Iliman Ndiaye | LW | Everton |
Senegal Substitutes Used
| Minute | Player On | Player Off | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70′ | Cheikh Sabaly | Ismaïla Sarr | Real Betis |
| 70′ | Pape Gueye | Habib Diarra | Villarreal |
| 81′ | Boulaye Dia | Nicolas Jackson | Lazio |
Senegal Unused Substitutes
Yehvann Diouf, Mamadou Camara, Abdoulaye Seck, Cherif Ndiaye, Ismail Jakobs, Cheikh Niasse, Idrissa Gueye (junior), Abdallah Sima, Mory Diaw, Antoine Mendy
Head Coach: Pape Bouna Thiaw (SEN)
England National Football Team Vs Senegal National Football Team Timeline
The England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team timeline was packed with turning points, controversies, and moments of individual brilliance.
| Minute | Event | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2′ | Shot saved | Idrissa Gana Gueye (SEN) | 0–0 |
| 5′ | Shot saved (low drive) | Nicolas Jackson (SEN) | 0–0 |
| 7′ | GOAL — Kane taps in rebound | Harry Kane (ENG) | 1–0 |
| 17′ | Yellow Card | Krépin Diatta (SEN) | 1–0 |
| 30′ | Yellow Card | Levi Colwill (ENG) | 1–0 |
| 40′ | GOAL — Sarr pokes in Jackson’s cross | Ismaïla Sarr (SEN) | 1–1 |
| 44′ | Yellow Card | Kyle Walker (ENG) | 1–1 |
| 45’+1 | Half Time | N/A | 1–1 |
| 59′ | Triple substitution (England) | Gibbs-White, Jones, Rogers on | 1–1 |
| 62′ | GOAL — Diarra slots through Henderson’s legs | Habib Diarra (SEN) | 1–2 |
| 70′ | Double substitution (Senegal) | Sabaly, Pape Gueye on | 1–2 |
| 71′ | Double substitution (England) | Bellingham, Madueke on | 1–2 |
| 81′ | Boulaye Dia replaces Jackson (SEN) | N/A | 1–2 |
| 83′ | Goal DISALLOWED | Jude Bellingham (ENG) — Colwill handball | 1–2 |
| 88′ | Ivan Toney replaces Lewis-Skelly (ENG) | N/A | 1–2 |
| 90’+3 | GOAL — Sabaly finishes counter-attack | Cheikh Sabaly (SEN) | 1–3 |
| 90’+5 | Full Time | N/A | ENG 1–3 SEN |
England National Football Team Vs Senegal National Football Team Stats
The England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team stats told a clear story — Senegal were the superior side for large stretches of the contest.
| Statistic | England | Senegal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 3 |
| Shots (Total) | 12 | 17 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 9 |
| Possession (%) | 52% | 48% |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 84% | 80% |
| Corners | 5 | 4 |
| Fouls Committed | 9 | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
| Big Chances Created | 3 | 5 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 1.4 | 2.6 |
| First Half Shots on Target | 1 | 6 |
| Saves (GK) | 6 (Henderson) | 3 (Mendy) |
Opta Key Fact: Senegal registered 6 shots on target in the first half alone — the most England had faced in an opening 45 minutes since facing Brazil at the Maracanã in June 2013 (8 shots on target).
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Player Ratings
England Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Henderson | GK | 6.5 | Made 6 saves but beaten three times, caught out on Diarra’s goal |
| Kyle Walker | RB | 5.0 | Caught napping for Sarr’s equaliser; booked in 44th minute |
| Trevoh Chalobah | CB | 5.5 | Debut — caught out of position for Jackson’s run before Sarr goal |
| Levi Colwill | CB | 5.0 | Booked in 30th minute; handball in build-up to disallowed Bellingham goal |
| Myles Lewis-Skelly | LB | 5.5 | Bypassed for Diarra’s second goal; replaced at 88′ |
| Bukayo Saka | RM | 6.5 | Bright spell, denied by great Mendy save late on |
| Conor Gallagher | CM | 5.5 | Limited impact before being replaced at 59′ |
| Declan Rice | CM | 6.0 | Industrious but unable to stop Senegal’s flowing moves |
| Anthony Gordon | LM | 5.5 | Shot led to Kane’s goal; mis-hit Walker cross from close range |
| Eberechi Eze | AM | 6.0 | Inventive flick-on for Gibbs-White chance; not decisive enough |
| Harry Kane | ST | 7.0 | Scored his 73rd England goal; taken off at 59′ after quiet spell |
| Morgan Gibbs-White (sub) | AM | 6.5 | Best of the subs; lashed effort at Mendy; set up Saka chance |
| Jude Bellingham (sub) | CM | 6.0 | Had goal controversially ruled out for handball in build-up |
| Noni Madueke (sub) | RW | 5.5 | Won free-kick that led to Sabaly’s third |
| Ivan Toney (sub) | ST | 5.5 | Late introduction as England chased the game |
Senegal Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Édouard Mendy | GK | 7.5 | Denied Saka late on; composed and commanding throughout |
| Krépin Diatta | RB | 6.5 | Set the attacking tone; booked early but recovered well |
| Kalidou Koulibaly | CB | 8.0 | Commanding at the back; key pass led directly to Diarra’s goal |
| Moussa Niakhaté | CB | 7.5 | Solid at centre-back on his club ground (City Ground) |
| Malick Diouf | LB | 7.0 | Energetic on the left; overlapped consistently and tracked back |
| Habib Diarra | CM | 8.5 | Man of the Match — scored crucial second goal; dynamic and direct |
| Idrissa Gana Gueye | CM | 7.5 | Dispossessed Jones to initiate third goal; omnipresent defensive work |
| Lamine Camara | CM | 8.0 | Decisive assist for Sabaly’s third; excellent all-round display |
| Ismaïla Sarr | RW | 8.0 | Levelled at 1-1; outpaced Walker; constant threat until substituted |
| Nicolas Jackson | ST | 7.0 | Involved in Sarr’s goal with a hooked cross; hard-working throughout |
| Iliman Ndiaye | LW | 6.5 | Lively; tested Henderson and kept Chalobah busy |
| Cheikh Sabaly (sub) | MF | 8.0 | Came on and sealed victory with a cool counter-attack finish in 90’+3 |
Tactical Analysis
England’s 4-4-2 Flat Mid – Cautious and Disjointed
Thomas Tuchel deployed a flat 4-4-2 with Eberechi Eze acting as a number ten just behind Harry Kane. The system had a dual purpose: exploit the space behind Senegal’s high line with Kane and provide width through Saka and Gordon. Early on the structure functioned — England pressed high and Kane converted from close range.
However, the formation exposed glaring vulnerabilities once Senegal found their rhythm. The two-man midfield of Rice and Gallagher was frequently outnumbered by Senegal’s three-man midfield engine of Gueye, Diarra and Camara. England’s wide midfielders were slow to track back, leaving full-backs Walker and Lewis-Skelly isolated. Both goals conceded in the first half and in the 62nd minute had a systemic quality — Senegal consistently found space in behind the England defensive line.
When Tuchel switched to 3-4-3 in the final stages by introducing Toney as a second striker alongside Rogers, it opened England up further on the counter — which is exactly how Sabaly sealed the win in stoppage time.
Senegal’s 4-3-3 – Built on Transition and Organisation
Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw set Senegal up in a compact 4-3-3 that pressed intelligently and trusted individual quality in wide areas. The central trio of Gueye, Diarra and Camara offered the perfect balance of defensive graft and dynamic forward runs. Gueye patrolled the base; Camara and Diarra were free to carry the ball into advanced zones.
Sarr’s goal illustrated the plan perfectly — Senegal drew England’s full-back forward through patient possession, then exploited the space in behind with a quick vertical ball from Jackson. Diarra’s goal was even more telling tactically — Koulibaly played a single pass from deep that split the entire England midfield and backline.
Senegal also demonstrated excellent transitional discipline, swiftly converting defence into attack and exploiting England’s disorganisation whenever Tuchel’s side committed numbers forward.
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England National Football Team Vs Senegal National Football Team Head-to-Head
| # | Date | Competition | Venue | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 Dec 2022 | FIFA World Cup Round of 16 | Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar | England 3–0 Senegal | England |
| 2 | 10 Jun 2025 | International Friendly | City Ground, Nottingham | England 1–3 Senegal | Senegal |
Overall H2H Record:
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Senegal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
The head-to-head record is perfectly even after two encounters — one commanding England win at the World Cup and one historic Senegal win on English soil.
Key Players Spotlight
Harry Kane – The Record Continues
Kane extended a remarkable personal record by scoring in each of Tuchel’s first four matches in charge — a feat no England player had ever previously achieved under a new manager. His 73rd England goal came in trademark fashion: reacting quickly to a spilled Mendy save. But Kane was quiet thereafter and was withdrawn at 59 minutes, highlighting ongoing questions about England’s ability to create clear-cut chances for their captain.
Ismaïla Sarr – The Catalyst
Playing for his club Crystal Palace’s rival ground in Nottingham, Sarr was the spark that ignited Senegal’s comeback. His 40th-minute equaliser — anticipating Walker’s hesitation and guiding Jackson’s hooked cross into the corner — showed predatory instinct. He had seven goal involvements in seven games for club and country heading into this match, and his contribution here was the turning point of the contest.
Habib Diarra – Man of the Match
The 21-year-old Strasbourg midfielder was the standout performer of the evening. His goal was composed — collecting Koulibaly’s long ball, cutting inside Lewis-Skelly and drilling low through Henderson’s legs. His energy, technical quality and bravery on the ball made him almost unplayable in the second half.
Lamine Camara – The Ice-Calm Assist Maker
Camara’s role in Sabaly’s stoppage-time goal summed up Senegal’s quality. Picking up the ball in transition after Gueye’s interception, Camara drove forward at pace and produced a perfectly weighted cut-back for the substitute Sabaly to finish coolly — a moment of Premier League-level composure on the international stage.
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England National Football Team Vs Senegal National Football Team Matches – Recent Form
England Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Mar 2025 | Albania | WCQ | 2–0 W |
| 25 Mar 2025 | Latvia | WCQ | 3–0 W |
| 6 Jun 2025 | Andorra | WCQ | 1–0 W |
| 10 Jun 2025 | Senegal | Friendly | 1–3 L |
| Next | Uruguay | Friendly (Sep 2025) | TBD |
Senegal Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | AFCON Final (pen) | AFCON | N/A (PSO) |
| Mar 2025 | Republic of Ireland | Friendly | 1–1 D |
| Jun 2025 | N/A | Camp / Training | N/A |
| 10 Jun 2025 | England | Friendly | 3–1 W |
| Streak | Unbeaten in 24 matches | All competitions | W16 D7 (excl. AFCON PSO) |
Squad Depth Evaluation
England – Questions Over Balance
This England vs Senegal match revealed structural gaps in Tuchel’s squad planning. The midfield axis of Rice–Gallagher lacked the creativity to unlock a well-organised low-block. Eze, while talented, struggled to impose himself as a playmaker between the lines. The wide areas — Gordon on the left, Saka on the right — needed more delivery support from the full-backs.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden all have the quality to raise England’s creative output, but the match highlighted that the squad still lacks genuine depth at left-back, central midfield, and in the striker’s role behind Kane. Gibbs-White’s cameo was the one bright substitute contribution.
Senegal – Depth and Unity
Pape Bouna Thiaw has at his disposal a deep squad across all positions. The Jackson–Sarr–Ndiaye attacking trident is creative and direct. The midfield trio of Gueye, Diarra and Camara blends experience and youth superbly. At the back, Koulibaly remains one of the best captains in international football. The bench was equally impressive — Sabaly, Dia and Pape Gueye all contributed meaningfully. Senegal’s unbeaten run of 24 games is no fluke.
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Tournament Implications – The Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team clash carries significant weight beyond the friendly scoreline.
For England, the result reinforces concerns about their ability to handle elite pressing sides. Tuchel’s team have won their World Cup qualifying matches but have not yet produced the fluid, dominant football expected of a side targeting glory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil (jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico). The disallowed Bellingham goal, the defensive lapses for goals two and three, and the struggle to create from open play all require solutions before the tournament begins.
For Senegal, the win is powerful psychological currency. They travel to the 2026 World Cup as serious contenders — two-time AFCON winners with a squad bursting with European club talent. Defeating England at the City Ground, reversing the humbling 3–0 World Cup loss from 2022, and extending their unbeaten run to 24 matches sends a clear message to the football world.
Notably, this was only England’s second match ever staged at the City Ground — their first was a 2–0 win over Wales in a Home Nations match in March 1909, 116 years earlier.
Referee Panel
| Role | Official | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Referee | Stéphanie Frappart | France |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Aurélien Drouet | France |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Camille Soriano | France |
| Video Assistant Referee | Mathieu Vernice | France |
| Asst. VAR | Benoît Millot | France |
| Fourth Official | Abdelatif Kherradji | France |
Match Conditions
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Venue | City Ground, Nottingham |
| Weather | Sunny, 17°C |
| Humidity | 51% |
| Wind Speed | 13 km/h |
| Pitch Condition | Excellent |
Conclusion
The England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team friendly on 10 June 2025 will be remembered as the night Senegal made history, ending England’s long unbeaten record against African nations with a controlled, composed and entirely deserved 3–1 victory. The England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team lineups showed that both managers were experimenting — but while Tuchel’s patched-up side looked disjointed, Thiaw’s Senegal were a cohesive unit that knew exactly how to hurt England.
The England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team stats confirmed Senegal’s superiority: nine shots on target to England’s four, five big chances created to three, and an xG of 2.6 vs 1.4. Kane’s goal was a bright opening, but the middle and final chapters of the England National Football Team vs Senegal National Football Team timeline belonged entirely to the Lions of Teranga.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching at speed, both nations have important lessons to learn and apply. For England vs Senegal watchers, one thing is clear: this rivalry has entered a genuinely competitive new era.
? FAQs – England National Football Team Vs Senegal National Football Team
Q1. What was the final score in England vs Senegal on 10 June 2025?
England lost 1–3 to Senegal in an international friendly played at City Ground, Nottingham.
Q2. Who scored for England in the England vs Senegal match?
Harry Kane scored England’s only goal in the 7th minute, his 73rd goal for the national team.
Q3. Who scored for Senegal in the England vs Senegal match?
Ismaïla Sarr (40′), Habib Diarra (62′), and Cheikh Sabaly (90’+3′) scored for Senegal.
Q4. What were the official starting lineups for England vs Senegal?
England lined up in a 4-4-2: Henderson; Walker, Chalobah, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Gallagher, Rice, Gordon; Eze; Kane. Senegal played 4-3-3: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Diouf; Diarra, Gueye, Camara; Sarr, Jackson, Ndiaye.
Q5. Where was the England vs Senegal match played?
The match was played at the City Ground, Nottingham — home of Nottingham Forest — in front of approximately 30,000 supporters.
Q6. Was this England’s first-ever defeat to an African nation?
Yes. It was a historic first — England had gone 21 matches (W15 D6) unbeaten against African opposition before this loss to Senegal.
Q7. Was Jude Bellingham’s goal allowed in the England vs Senegal match?
No. Bellingham appeared to equalise in the 83rd minute, but the goal was disallowed because Levi Colwill was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up from a corner.
