England’s national team suffered a shocking 1-3 home defeat to Senegal in an international friendly, marking the first loss under new head coach Thomas Tuchel. Despite taking an early lead through Harry Kane, the Three Lions were undone by a spirited Senegal side, who scored three unanswered goals to seal a historic victory, becoming the first African team to beat England.
England, ranked 4th in the world and top of their World Cup qualifying group with three straight wins, used this friendly as a tune-up during their off-matchday in the qualifiers. With a star-studded lineup, expectations were high at Wembley. Captain Harry Kane put the hosts ahead early, seemingly setting the tone for another routine win.
But Senegal had other plans. Ismaïla Sarr equalised before Habib Diarra and Youssouf Sabaly added two more in a stunning turnaround. England’s defence looked disjointed, and the team struggled to find rhythm for most of the game.
Tuchel’s First Setback as England Boss
Having started his England tenure with three clean-sheet wins, Tuchel experienced his first defeat, and it came with a loud chorus of boos from the home fans as the players left the pitch. Speaking after the game, Tuchel admitted the result was “disappointing,” but also highlighted some positives.
“I think we played better once we were behind. The players responded well, but clearly, we need to improve,” said Tuchel. “We lacked intensity and structure, especially off the ball.”
This was not only Tuchel’s first defeat with England, but also the first time in history that England has lost to an African side. Before this match, England had a record of 16 wins and 6 draws against African opponents.
Kane: “We’re Not Going to Panic”
England captain Harry Kane addressed the fans’ frustration: “We’re not going to panic, but we know we have to do better. We were lacking chemistry. There were good moments, but overall, we didn’t find our rhythm, either in possession or defensively. We lost the attacking spark we used to have.”
Late in the game, Jude Bellingham appeared to have scored a consolation goal, but it was ruled out for a handball. Kane argued it should have stood, claiming the ball struck Bellingham’s shoulder, not his arm. Tuchel echoed that sentiment, saying it looked “more like a shoulder” from the sideline.
USMNT Thrashed 0-4 by Switzerland in Brutal Home Loss
In the United States, which will co-host the 2026 World Cup, things have gone from bad to worse. Facing Switzerland in a friendly match, the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) collapsed early, conceding four goals by the 36th minute in front of a stunned home crowd.
The heavy defeat marks the Americans’ fourth consecutive loss across all competitions, casting serious doubts over their current direction under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine manager appeared visibly frustrated and out of answers as his side was outplayed in every department.
Meanwhile, Switzerland continued their winning streak, securing a third straight victory and showcasing their strength ahead of their own World Cup qualification challenges.
England’s surprise defeat and the United States’ ongoing struggles highlight a troubling international window for two of the sport’s high-profile teams. While Senegal and Switzerland will celebrate their statement wins, both England and the US must regroup quickly, with competitive fixtures just around the corner.
