Senegal Secures Historic First African Win Over England, Tuchel Faces First Defeat

England, under the management of Thomas Tuchel, suffered a historic 3-1 defeat to Senegal, marking the first time an African nation has beaten England in 22 attempts. Despite an early goal by Harry Kane, Senegal equalized before halftime and took the lead in the second half through Habib Diarra, with Cheikh Sabaly sealing the victory in stoppage time. The match highlighted England's struggles with energy and creativity, and Tuchel's decision to delay substituting Ivan Toney drew criticism, as Toney appeared frustrated by limited game time. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly praised the team's performance, linking it to their recent Africa Cup of Nations success and expressing pride in making history. The loss was Tuchel's first as England coach, occurring amid a mixed reception from fans concerned about the team's form ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Despite the setback, Tuchel emphasized a long-term perspective, noting England's strong qualification record and downplaying the need for panic.