Thomas Tuchel loses for the first time with the Three Lions. England concedes three goals in front of their home crowd, and the fans react with anger.
Three goals conceded, boos, and fleeing fans: Coach Thomas Tuchel has suffered his first defeat with the English national team – and a year before the World Cup, he has a lot of work to do on his new mission.
In the test against Senegal, the Three Lions lost 1-3 (1-1) on Tuesday, and in their fourth game under Tuchel, they lost for the first time – and the first time ever against an African team. Just three days earlier, however, the runners-up in the European Championship had only struggled to a 1-0 win against the rank outsider Andorra.
Thomas Tuchel (r.) with Jude Bellingham
In Nottingham, it was once again Bayern striker Harry Kane (7th) who put the English ahead. Ismaila Sarr (40th), Habib Diarra (62nd) and Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly (90+3) ensured Senegal’s deserved test match victory – which has no sporting consequences but raises questions in England.
The intermediate, supposed equaliser (84th) by substitute Jude Bellingham was rightly disallowed due to a handball in the build-up. At the latest after the third goal, the fans visibly voiced their disappointment, and many left the stadium before the final whistle.
Even after the disappointing performance against Andorra, the English press and Tuchel himself had not spared criticism. Against the much more dangerous opponent from Africa, England now started strongly, pressed high and successfully, forcing the early lead through Kane in this way.
While the hosts became increasingly passive in the course of the first half, Senegal created a whole series of good chances. The goals then also exposed some defensive weaknesses in Tuchel’s team.
They were also the first goals conceded under Tuchel.