England suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat to Senegal in an international friendly at the City Ground on 10 June 2025. Thomas Tuchel handed competitive debuts to several players, but the Lions of Teranga came from behind to secure a historic victory. For more context on England’s overall trajectory, see the England national football team standings.
The result marked Senegal’s first-ever win over England and ended a remarkable 22-match unbeaten run for the Three Lions against African opposition. Harry Kane opened the scoring inside seven minutes, but goals from Ismaïla Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Cheikh Sabaly turned the game around in front of a crowd of 26,322 in Nottingham.
For England, the friendly was part of preparations for the 2026 UEFA Nations League campaign. For Senegal, it was a statement performance that underlined their progress since reaching the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup.
What Were the Starting Lineups for England vs Senegal?
| Match | England vs Senegal (Friendly) |
| Date | 10 June 2025 |
| Final Score | Senegal 3-1 England |
| Format | International Friendly |
- Senegal secured a dominant 3-1 victory over England in the June 2025 friendly match.
- England’s starting XI featured several changes from the 2022 World Cup squad, with Dean Henderson in goal.
- Senegal fielded a strong side led by Kalidou Koulibaly and featuring Nicolas Jackson in attack.
- The match was part of England’s preparation for the UEFA Nations League 2026.
- Official lineups were confirmed by the FA and UEFA ahead of kick-off.
- Thomas Tuchel used the fixture to test attacking combinations and squad depth.
- Senegal’s bench included multiple attacking options, reflecting their growing squad depth.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Type | International Friendly |
| Date | 10 June 2025 |
| Venue | City Ground, Nottingham |
| Attendance | 26,322 |
| Referee | Stephanie Frappart |
| Final Score | Senegal 3-1 England |
| England Captain | Harry Kane |
| England Goalkeeper | Dean Henderson |
| Senegal Goalkeeper | Edouard Mendy |
| Official Sources | UEFA, England Football, Sky Sports |
England Starting XI
Dean Henderson started in goal behind a back four of Kyle Walker, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The midfield featured Bukayo Saka, Conor Gallagher, Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon, and Eberechi Eze, with Harry Kane leading the line as captain. The lineup was confirmed by the England Football match centre and ESPN.
Senegal Starting XI
Senegal fielded Edouard Mendy in goal, protected by a defence of Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, and Ismaïl Jakobs. The midfield trio was Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gueye, and Habib Diarra, while Ismaïla Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, and Iliman Ndiaye formed the attack. The lineup was reported by Sports Illustrated and Sky Sports.
England’s selection under Thomas Tuchel was fairly attacking, but analysis from England Football Online notes that Tuchel also used players in unusual roles elsewhere in the squad, with Curtis Jones appearing at right-back during the broader international window. The starting XI against Senegal was notably experimental in defence.
What Was the Final Score of England vs Senegal?
Senegal won the match 3-1. England took an early lead through Harry Kane in the seventh minute, but Senegal responded before half-time through Ismaïla Sarr. Habib Diarra put Senegal ahead in the 62nd minute, and Cheikh Sabaly sealed the victory in stoppage time (90+3).
Who Scored for England vs Senegal?
Harry Kane scored for England with a seventh-minute strike. For Senegal, Ismaïla Sarr equalised in the 40th minute, Habib Diarra made it 2-1 in the 62nd minute, and Cheikh Sabaly added a third in the third minute of added time. Goal details are recorded by Sky Sports and ESPN.
How Did England Lose 1-3 to Senegal?
England started well and scored first, but Senegal were more efficient in transition and looked sharper defensively and on the counter. England Football Online reports that Kyle Walker switched off for Sarr’s equaliser, and the team failed to turn early dominance into a comfortable win. England had more of the ball, but Senegal repeatedly threatened behind the defence and punished lapses in concentration.
When and Where Was the England vs Senegal Friendly Match Played?
The match was played on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, at the City Ground in Nottingham, England. French referee Stephanie Frappart officiated the game, and the attendance was recorded at 26,322. The fixture was an international friendly used by England to prepare for the UEFA Nations League 2026.
Is There a Rivalry Between England and Senegal?
There is no established rivalry between England and Senegal. The two sides have met only twice in their history. Before this match, England held a 1-0 record in the head-to-head, with their only previous meeting coming in the 2022 World Cup round of 16, where England won 3-0. Senegal’s victory on 10 June 2025 was their first ever against England and has levelled the head-to-head at one win each.
What Is the Head to Head Record Between England and Senegal?
After the 10 June 2025 result, the head-to-head between the two nations stands at England 1 win, Senegal 1 win, with no draws in the two meetings. England won the 2022 World Cup clash 3-0, while Senegal secured a 3-1 victory in the June 2025 friendly. These are the only two senior men’s international fixtures between the countries.
Key Moments and Match Analysis from England 1-3 Senegal
England started the match brightly and took a deserved lead through Harry Kane in the seventh minute. Senegal grew into the game as the first half progressed and equalised through Ismaïla Sarr just before the break after Kyle Walker was caught out of position. In the second half, Senegal took control. Habib Diarra gave Senegal the lead in the 62nd minute, and Cheikh Sabaly added a third in stoppage time to complete a memorable victory for the visitors. For further perspective on England’s recent form, check the England national football team standings.
England Football Online notes that Senegal exposed defensive weaknesses in the England setup, with the team struggling for control after the early goal. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, England could not turn their early dominance into a comfortable win and were picked off on the counter-attack.
England had more of the ball throughout the match, but Senegal repeatedly threatened behind the defence and punished lapses in concentration. The visitors were more efficient in transition and looked sharper both defensively and on the counter, according to match reports from England Football Online and ESPN.
The defeat was England’s first against African opposition in 22 matches, a run that had stood for many years. Senegal’s three goals exposed defensive fragilities that Thomas Tuchel will need to address ahead of the UEFA Nations League 2026 campaign.
Timeline of Key Events in England vs Senegal (10 June 2025)
- — England vs Senegal friendly match played at the City Ground, Nottingham. Attendance: 26,322.
- — Harry Kane scores for England to make it 1-0.
- — Ismaïla Sarr equalises for Senegal after Kyle Walker switches off.
- — Habib Diarra puts Senegal ahead, 2-1.
- — Cheikh Sabaly scores Senegal’s third to make it 3-1.
- — Senegal win 3-1, their first ever victory over England.
- — The match forms part of England’s preparation for the UEFA Nations League 2026.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About the Match?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| England starting XI: Henderson; Walker, Chalobah, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Gallagher, Rice, Gordon, Eze; Kane (c). | Exact formation used by England is not explicitly stated in available sources, though a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 is likely given the personnel. |
| Senegal starting XI: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Jakobs; Camara, Gueye, Diarra; Sarr, Jackson, Ndiaye. | Full list of substitutes for both teams is not detailed in the provided sources. |
| Final score: Senegal 3-1 England. | Detailed minute-by-minute match events beyond the four goals (cards, substitutions, other chances) are not specified in the provided sources. |
| Venue: City Ground, Nottingham. Attendance: 26,322. Referee: Stephanie Frappart. | Specific tactical instructions or formation diagrams from the managers are not available in the provided sources. |
| Head-to-head after match: England 1 win, Senegal 1 win, 0 draws. | Post-match quotes from Thomas Tuchel or the Senegal manager are not included in the provided sources. |
What Does This Result Mean for Both Teams?
The 3-1 defeat highlights defensive vulnerabilities in England’s setup under Thomas Tuchel, particularly against quick transitions and African opposition. For Senegal, the victory continues their emergence as a formidable side since the 2022 World Cup, demonstrating depth with multiple attacking options on the bench. The friendly served as a benchmark for England’s readiness for the UEFA Nations League 2026, while Senegal will take considerable confidence from their first-ever win over the Three Lions.
Sources and Match Reports
England started well and scored first, but Senegal were more efficient in transition and looked sharper defensively and on the counter.
— England Football Online match analysis
Senegal exposed defensive weaknesses, with Kyle Walker switching off for Sarr’s equalizer and England failing to turn early dominance into a comfortable win.
— England Football Online
The official England vs Senegal starting lineups were published by UEFA and the England Football match centre. Detailed match reports and team sheets are also available from Sky Sports and ESPN.
Summary: England vs Senegal Lineups and Match Result (June 2025)
England and Senegal met in a friendly match on 10 June 2025 at the City Ground in Nottingham, with Senegal winning 3-1. Harry Kane scored early for England, but goals from Ismaïla Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Cheikh Sabaly gave Senegal a historic first victory over England. The result also ended England’s 22-match unbeaten run against African opposition. Thomas Tuchel’s experimental lineup struggled to maintain control after the early goal, and Senegal capitalised on defensive lapses. The match formed part of England’s preparation for the UEFA Nations League 2026. For more details on England’s overall campaign, see England national football team standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a rivalry between England and Senegal?
No, England and Senegal have limited history. This was a friendly match as part of England’s preparation for the UEFA Nations League 2026. They had previously met in the 2022 World Cup where England won 3-0.
What is the head to head record between England and Senegal?
Based on available sources, England and Senegal have faced each other twice. England won the 2022 World Cup meeting 3-0, and Senegal won the June 2025 friendly 3-1. The head-to-head is now level at one win each.
What was the formation for England against Senegal?
Based on the starting XI of Henderson; Walker, Chalobah, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Gallagher, Rice, Gordon, Eze; Kane, England likely deployed a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, although the exact formation is not explicitly stated in the provided sources.
Who were the substitutes for England and Senegal?
England’s full substitute list was not detailed in the provided sources. Senegal’s substitutes included Diaw, Diouf, Camara Mamadou, Seck, Dia, Sabaly, Ndiaye, and Jakobs per UEFA data, though the exact match-day substitutes used are not fully confirmed.
How did England lose 1-3 to Senegal?
England scored first through Harry Kane but conceded three unanswered goals. Senegal were more efficient on the counter-attack, punished defensive lapses from Kyle Walker and others, and took their chances in transition to secure a 3-1 win.
Where was the England vs Senegal match played?
The match was played at the City Ground in Nottingham, England, with an attendance of 26,322. French referee Stephanie Frappart officiated the game.
Who scored for England in the 1-3 defeat to Senegal?
Harry Kane scored England’s only goal in the seventh minute. Senegal’s goals came from Ismaïla Sarr (40th minute), Habib Diarra (62nd minute), and Cheikh Sabaly (90+3 minute).
Was this Senegal’s first win over England?
Yes, this was Senegal’s first-ever win over England. Their only previous meeting was in the 2022 World Cup round of 16, which England won 3-0.
What was England’s record against African teams before this match?
Before this match, England had not lost to African opposition in 22 matches. Senegal’s victory ended that unbeaten run.
Was Thomas Tuchel the England manager for this match?
Yes, Thomas Tuchel was the England manager for the match. His lineup was fairly attacking but included some experimental choices, particularly in defence, with Curtis Jones also appearing at right-back in the broader squad usage.
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Isabelle Reed is TV & Streaming Editor at CultureObserver.uk, covering television, streaming platforms, broadcast schedules and platform news.