England Falls to Senegal: Tuchel and Kane Reflect on Missed Chances and Wake-Up Call
England’s friendly against Senegal took an unexpected turn on Tuesday night, ending in a 3-1 loss that left fans and players alike questioning the team’s rhythm and readiness.
It started off with promise — Harry Kane put England ahead just seven minutes in. But that spark didn’t last. Senegal responded with confidence, finding the net three times through Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Cheikh Sabaly. It was a wake-up call — and a historic one too — marking England’s first-ever defeat to an African side.
After the match, manager Thomas Tuchel didn’t hold back. “It’s a frustrating one,” he said. “We gave away goals too easily, and that always makes things harder.”
Tuchel noted that while the team did show some life after falling behind, it wasn’t enough. “We became more active and aggressive later on, and we created good chances. But you have to take those chances — and we didn’t.”
Captain Harry Kane, who scored England’s only goal of the night, echoed the manager’s disappointment. “It just wasn’t good enough,” he admitted. “Something’s not clicking. We’re missing the intensity we used to have. We’re not sharp with or without the ball, and that has to change.”
Kane also stressed the importance of finding their form before the World Cup qualifiers heat up. “There’s still time, but we’ve got to regroup fast. The World Cup won’t wait for anyone.”
For Tuchel, still settling into the role as head coach, this loss is a tough early lesson. But with bigger matches ahead and the clock ticking toward 2026, there’s no room for dwelling — only for growing.
