In a landmark football match on June 10, 2025, Senegal defeated England 3-1 in a friendly at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, marking the first time an African nation has beaten England in 22 encounters. The victory ended England’s unbeaten run against African teams and extended Senegal’s own unbeaten streak to 24 matches.
England took an early lead in the seventh minute when captain Harry Kane capitalized on a mistake by Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. However, Senegal quickly turned the game around with Ismaila Sarr equalizing in the 40th minute after exploiting a defensive lapse. Senegal then took the lead in the 62nd minute through Habib Diarra, who scored by slipping the ball through England’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s legs. Cheikh Sabaly sealed the win with a late goal deep into stoppage time, sparking jeers from the home crowd.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly hailed the victory as a historic achievement and drew parallels to their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, emphasizing the team’s character and ambition to compete at the highest level. Under coach Pape Thiaw, Senegal has maintained impressive form, losing only once since January 2024.
The defeat was England’s first under manager Thomas Tuchel and raised concerns about the team’s cohesion and spirit, with pundits like Roy Keane noting a lack of hunger and unity. Despite the loss, England showed resilience but were ultimately outplayed by a confident and skillful Senegal side.
This historic win not only boosts Senegal’s standing on the global stage but also marks a significant moment in African football history, showcasing the continent’s growing competitiveness against traditional football powers.