By Ebenezer Mabinuola
In a night that will be etched into African football folklore, Senegal shocked England with a commanding 3-1 victory at the City Ground, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, becoming the first African nation to ever defeat the Three Lions in a senior international match.
The landmark win ended a 22-game winless streak for African teams against England and signaled a powerful statement from Pape Thiaw Senegalese side, who continue to grow in stature on the global stage.
England started brightly under new manager Thomas Tuchel, and captain Harry Kane gave the home side an early lead with a well-taken goal in the 7th minute.
But the early advantage only ignited Senegal’s determination. Ismaïla Sarr leveled things in the 40th minute.
In the 62nd minute, Habib Diarra gave Senegal the lead, finishing calmly after a defensive lapse.
The defining moment came in the 93rd minute when Cheikh Sabaly, cutting in from the right flank, slotted home Senegal’s third with precision and composure. The goal not only secured the win but also cemented Senegal’s place in football history.
“It’s a fantastic night. We knew we could make a statement,” said captain Kalidou Koulibaly, beaming with pride. “We made history when we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, and we made it again tonight. This is for Senegal, and for Africa.”
Senegal have now gone unbeaten since January 2024, when they were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations on penalties by hosts Ivory Coast.
For England, the loss raised questions ahead of Euro 2025 preparations. Despite a strong opening 20 minutes, the team appeared disjointed in midfield and vulnerable at the back, struggling to cope with Senegal’s pace and pressing.
Senegal will carry their momentum into upcoming World Cup qualifiers with renewed belief, while England must quickly regroup for their final pre-Euro warm-up match.
