Senegal Makes History: First African Nation to Beat England in Football

In Summary:

On June 10, 2025, Senegal beat England 3-1, becoming the first African team to defeat them in 22 attempts, a truly historic win.
Goals from Sarr, Diarra, and Sabaly sealed the victory, showing Senegal’s rising strength and ending England’s long unbeaten run against African nations.
This triumph is a huge boost for African football, giving hope that an African team could win the World Cup in 2026 as the tournament expands.

On June 10, 2025, Senegal made football history by beating England 3-1 in a friendly match, becoming the first African team to do so. This landmark victory at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground ended England’s long unbeaten run against African nations, showcasing Senegal’s growing strength with goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Cheikh Sabaly. This win is a huge boost for African football, signaling a shift in global power and inspiring hope for future successes on the world stage, especially with the expanded 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

A Breakthrough Night in Nottingham

England initially took the lead in the seventh minute through captain Harry Kane. Photo courtesy.

The match at City Ground was a rollercoaster of emotions. England initially took the lead in the seventh minute through captain Harry Kane, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Senegal’s Edouard Mendy.

However, Senegal quickly regrouped. Before halftime, Ismaila Sarr skillfully equalized after an assist from Nicolas Jackson, catching the English defense off guard.

In the second half, Habib Diarra put Senegal in front, piercing through England’s backline and slotting the ball past Dean Henderson.

The victory was sealed in stoppage time when Cheikh Sabaly netted a third goal from a rapid counterattack, despite an earlier English goal being disallowed for a handball by Levi Colwill.

This result was more than just a win; it was a profound shift. England had previously maintained an impressive 21-game undefeated streak against African opposition, including a dominant 3-0 win over Senegal in the 2022 World Cup.

Senegal’s triumph completely rewrites this narrative, demonstrating their capability to not only compete with but also overcome one of football’s long-established powerhouses.

Senegal’s Ascent and England’s Shattered Streak

On June 10, 2025, Senegal beat England 3-1, becoming the first African team to defeat them in 22 attempts. Photo courtesy.

Senegal’s historic win is not an isolated incident but rather a testament to their consistent progress.

Under the guidance of coach Aliou Cissé, the team has been on a remarkable run, now extending their unbeaten streak to 24 games.

This impressive run includes their groundbreaking 2022 Africa Cup of Nations title, which marked their first continental championship.

Ranked 19th globally by FIFA as of June 2025, Senegal’s squad is a blend of Premier League talent, such as Crystal Palace’s Sarr and Chelsea’s Jackson, and formidable homegrown players.

“This is a proud moment for us and for Africa,” Cissé remarked after the match, as reported by FIFA’s official website, adding, “We showed the world what we’re capable of.”

For over five decades, England had maintained an unblemished record against African teams, facing nations from Nigeria to Cameroon without a single defeat.

Senegal’s victory unequivocally ends this formidable streak, underscoring a significant shift in the global football landscape. African nations are increasingly asserting their prowess, challenging and, as this match proved, defeating some of Europe’s traditional elite.

The Broader Impact for African Football

This triumph is a huge boost for African football, giving hope that an African team could win the World Cup in 2026. Photo courtesy.

This victory by Senegal resonates far beyond the confines of a friendly match; it carries immense symbolic weight for African football’s global aspirations.

The continent has long strived for greater recognition on the world stage, with teams like Nigeria and Morocco making notable World Cup quarter-final appearances in 1994 and 2022, respectively.

However, an African nation has yet to lift the coveted World Cup trophy. Senegal’s triumph over England, a former World Cup champion, ignites fresh hope that an African team could achieve this ultimate feat in the expanded 2026 World Cup, where Africa will have nine guaranteed spots among the 48 participating teams.

For Senegal, this win provides crucial momentum as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including the defense of their AFCON title in 2025 and the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.

If they can sustain this impressive form, they could enter the World Cup hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as genuine contenders.

For football enthusiasts across the continent, June 10, 2025, will be etched in memory as the day African football definitively stood tall against a giant and emerged victorious.