Historic Night at the City Ground

When Cheikh Sabaly scored the third goal for Senegal at the City Ground, it wasn't just a goal—it was a moment that etched the Senegal national football team into the history books. The match ended with a 3-1 victory over England, marking the first time an African team has defeated the Three Lions in 22 attempts.

Turning the Tide

Ismaila Sarr and Habib Diarra were instrumental in turning the game in Senegal's favor after Harry Kane had given England an early lead. This friendly match turned into a showcase of Senegal's growing prowess on the international stage.

Captain's Pride

Senegal's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, expressed his pride in the team's performance. "Fantastic night. We knew we could do something in this game," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It was a tough game, but we showed our personality and showed we can play at this level."

Koulibaly also drew parallels between this victory and Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2022. "It is fantastic. We are not used to making history and we made it when we won Afcon, and we made it tonight," he said. "We want to continue writing the story of Senegal. We wanted to show we have a good nation."

Consistent Performance

Senegal has been on a remarkable run, not losing a game since January 2024. Their last defeat was in the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 stage, where they were beaten on penalties by Ivory Coast. Since then, under the leadership of Pape Thiaw, Senegal has secured two wins and two draws.

Premier League Presence

Four of the starting XI for Senegal at the City Ground are currently playing in the Premier League, including Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, both of whom have previously played for Chelsea.

England's Record

England had previously faced African nations 21 times, winning 15 and drawing six. They had close calls against Tunisia in 1990 and Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup, but managed to avoid defeat. This loss to Senegal marks the first time England has been beaten by a team from another continent since their 3-1 defeat to Australia in 2003.

Looking Ahead

This historic win not only boosts Senegal's confidence but also sends a strong message to the football world. As they continue to build on their successes, Senegal is proving to be a formidable force in international football.