Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Richard Jolly and Will Castle

England vs Senegal LIVE: Thomas Tuchel’s side fail to impress again as Senegal seal historic win

Thomas Tuchel’s winning start as England manager came to a crushing end as Senegal sealed a shock victory to become the first African side to beat the Three Lions.

Harry Kane gave the hosts an early lead but were pegged back before half-time, with Ismaila Sarr catching Kyle Walker napping to bring parity.

England failed to pick up the pace after the break and were punished by Habib Diarra as Tuchel’s defence was opened up far too easily, with the midfielder slotting through Henderson to send the away end into raptures.

Jude Bellingham then had a late equaliser ruled out by referee Stephanie Rappart for handball before England’s fate was sealed in stoppage time, with Cheikh Sabaly finishing off a lightning counter to condemn Tuchel to his first defeat in the England dugout.

Follow all the build-up and minute-by-minute action ahead of the international friendly:

England vs Senegal LIVE

  • Thomas Tuchel's winning run comes to an end as Senegal become first African side to beat England
  • 7' GOAL! Kane fires in England opener despite early Senegal pressure [ENG 1-0 SEN]
  • 40' GOAL! Sarr equalises after catching Walker asleep [ENG 1-1 SEN]
  • 62' GOAL! England undone far too easily as Diarra gives visitors the lead [ENG 1-2 SEN]
  • 85' NO GOAL! Bellingham equaliser chalked off for Colwill handball [ENG 1-2 SEN]
  • 90+3' GOAL! Sabaly seals England's fate by finishing off lightning counter [ENG 1-3 SEN[

Where do England go from here?

23:28 , Will Castle

(PA Wire)
(Getty)
(PA Wire)

England player ratings as Kyle Walker epitomises defensive shambles against Senegal

23:15 , Will Castle

It was another dire night at the office for Thomas Tuchel’s men - here’s how Ella Witcher rated the players:

England player ratings as Kyle Walker epitomises defensive shambles against Senegal

Thomas Tuchel's post-match thoughts

22:59 , Will Castle

“It's a disappointing result,” he told ITV Sport. “Not sure if we did not deserve a little bit more result-wise. Felt a bit frozen, not active enough for a long time over the match.

“We defended quite well for long periods in the first half and then our best period came when we were 2-1 down. We conceded the first two goals - very easy goals, we need to defend better.

"The reaction was good after we were down. We suddenly were more active, more free, more fluent, more aggressive. We had big chances to equalise."

England ‘not good enough’ but won’t panic, says Harry Kane

22:43 , Will Castle

Captain Harry Kane insisted England are “not going to panic” following a shock 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal.

“Again, not really good enough,” Kane told ITV Sport.

“We had again moments; just with and without the ball we aren’t quite clicking, aren’t quite finding the right passes, finding the right tempo.

“One v one, we’re losing duels, we’re losing just that aggressive nature that we’ve had and we got punished, we’re playing against a good side. We just weren’t good enough today.

“We’re not going to panic. But for sure we know we need to do better.”

England ‘not good enough’ but won’t panic – Harry Kane

England left battered and booed as Senegal expose the weaknesses Thomas Tuchel must address

22:28 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

Managing England, as Thomas Tuchel is fast discovering, is harder than it may seem. A chastening week took a turn for the worse, culminating in the boos that followed his first defeat. It is a moot point whether losing to an accomplished Senegal side is actually a better result than only beating Andorra 1-0 but, a year from the World Cup, England looked anything but potential winners. It was a momentous occasion instead for Senegal: when Cheikh Sabaly scored the injury-time third, they celebrated becoming the first African team ever to beat England. They did not merely overcome them. They outclassed them.

Out-passed, outrun and outwitted, England encountered opponents who were quicker of foot and mind, cleverer and more coherent. That can’t all be attributed to Tuchel, in just the fourth game of his reign, but this was a snapshot of familiar England weaknesses. They lost their way after taking an early lead, lacked control in midfield and looked less than the sum of their parts. They were dismal and dreadful.

Richard Jolly’s full report from the City Ground:

England left battered and booed as Senegal expose the weaknesses Tuchel must address

'Awful night for Tuchel and England'

22:15 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

An awful night for Thomas Tuchel and England. Yes, he can experiment in friendlies but the performance was terrible. The midfield was a problem, the defence a shambles at times. And it could illustrate that Kyle Walker should head for international retirement.

(Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel becomes first England manager to lose to an African nation

21:58 , Will Castle

(Getty Images)
(The FA via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

FULL-TIME! England 1-3 Senegal

21:45 , Will Castle

Thomas Tuchel’s winning start as England manager came to a crashing end as Senegal sealed a shock victory to become the first African side to beat the Three Lions.

Harry Kane gave the hosts an early lead but were pegged back before half-time, with Ismaila Sarr catching Kyle Walker napping to bring parity.

England failed to pick up the pace after the break and were punished by Habib Diarra as Tuchel’s defence was opened up far too easily, with the midfielder slotting through Henderson to send the away end into raptures.

Jude Bellingham then had a late equaliser ruled out by referee Stephanie Rappart for handball before England’s fate was sealed in stoppage time, with Cheikh Sabaly finishing off a lightning counter to condemn Tuchel to his first defeat in the England dugout.

Boos rain in from around the City Ground. That was pretty dire.

(Getty Images)

GOAL! England 1-3 Senegal (Sabaly, 90+3')

21:42 , Will Castle

Senegal will be the first African side to beat England. And that goal sums up their performance over the past two games.

It started with England hesitating over a dead ball, before Madueke’s eventual delivery didn’t even make it into the box.

From then, Senegal countered like lightning, with Sabaly finishing it off seal England’s fate.

England 1-2 Senegal

21:40 , Will Castle

90 mins: FIVE minutes added on.

Madueke absolutely skins his man down the right, nutmegging him as he dances into the box, but can’t do any proper damage.

England 1-2 Senegal

21:38 , Will Castle

88 mins: One more throw of the dice for Tuchel. Toney is finally on.

GOAL DISALLOWED! England 1-2 Senegal

21:36 , Will Castle

85 mins: Frappart goes to the monitor and decides to rule out the goal for handball against Levi Colwill in the build-up to Jude Bellingham finish.

It wasn’t deliberate, and Colwill wasn’t the goalscorer, which usually means VAR doesn’t rule it out. Thomas Tuchel will feel hard done by there.

GOAL! England 2-2 Senegal (Bellingham, 83')

21:32 , Will Castle

Jude Bellingham come to England’s rescue again!

Madueke’s corner falls into the Real Madrid midfielder’s path, allowing him to prod home!

But wait - there’s a VAR check for handball...

England 1-2 Senegal

21:31 , Will Castle

81 mins: Morgan Rogers goes down in the box but it’s a good challenge rather than a penalty, with the hosts awarded a corner.

Nothing comes from the delivery as Bellingham heads wayward.

Senegal then make a change as Jackson comes off for Dia.

England 1-2 Senegal

21:30 , Will Castle

80 mins: There is one year and one day until the 2026 World Cup kicks off.

The hope was that Thomas Tuchel would deliver international football’s most coveted prize - but this team hardly look capable of getting out of the group.

Ten minutes to go and England need an equaliser to, at least in part, avoid embarrassment.

Positive impact from fan favourite Gibbs-White

21:25 , Will Castle

Morgan Gibbs-White has at least been involved in a couple of chances since he came on, first drawing a save from Mendy and then setting up Bukayo Saka to do likewise.

There were plenty of chants of his name when the Forest favourite came on. Not too many have enhanced their reputations tonight but perhaps he will.

(The FA via Getty Images)

England 1-2 Senegal

21:22 , Will Castle

72 mins: SAVE! Jackson looks to get on the scoresheet but his low effort is saved by Henderson for a corner.

England need to make sure this doesn’t get more embarrassing than it already is.

England 1-2 Senegal

21:20 , Will Castle

70 mins: Tuchel is going to the bench again, but it’s Toney who’s coming on. The Al-Ahli man looks absolutely seething.

Bellingham on for Rice, while Madueke enters the fray for Saka.

Meanwhile, Senegal have brought on Gueye and Sabaly for goalscorers Sarr and Diarra.

England 1-2 Senegal

21:18 , Will Castle

68 mins: SAVE! That is some stop by Mendy!

It’s quick, incisive football from England as Gibbs-White dances into the box before slipping it into the path of Saka.

The Arsenal winger gets a curling shot away but Mendy gets down to fingert

England 1-2 Senegal

21:16 , Will Castle

64 mins: CHANCE! Good move from England as Eze latches onto a forward ball and delightfully flicks it into the path of Rogers, who chooses to put his laces through it in the box.

It’s on target but Mendy gets his body in the way.

GOAL! England 1-2 Senegal (Diarra, 62')

21:12 , Will Castle

Wow. That was just far too easy, and England are behind!

One pass and Diarra has a clear run on goal, driving towards the near post before slotting it through Henderson and into the net.

Senegal lead at the City Ground. It’s not exactly undeserved, is it?

'Something of a slight for Toney'

21:09 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

Looks like a side without a striker but with Eze and Morgan Rogers through the middle. An interesting experiment, but something of a slight for Ivan Toney, the specialist striker left on the bench when Kane went off.

England 1-1 Senegal

21:08 , Will Castle

59 mins: Huge cheers from the City Ground as Forest boy Morgan Gibbs-White enters the fray in place of Gordan.

Jones and Rogers also on for Gallagher and Kane - no sign of Toney. England no longer have an out-and-out striker on the field.

England 1-1 Senegal

21:07 , Will Castle

57 mins: Eze tries to forge something by himself but gets thwarted, with Senegal thumping it up the field for Jackson to chase.

He proves a handful for Chalobah, holding up the ball before his pass is intercepted.

Triple change coming for England.

'Lack of control should worry Tuchel'

21:04 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

The lack of control in midfield should worry Tuchel.

Kane has dropped deep at times to act as the playmaker - too deep at times - but Senegal have showed more craft in the centre of the pitch.

It is a familiar English problem. It isn't one Conor Gallagher is likely to alleviate.

England 1-1 Senegal

21:03 , Will Castle

54 mins: Nearly a big blunder by Colwill as he’s closed down by club teammate Jackson, giving the striker a chance to escape in behind.

However, Henderson is in a good position and is able to get out before Jackson can do any real damage.

Another England let-off.

England 1-1 Senegal

21:01 , Will Castle

52 mins: England try to slip Saka through but it just doesn’t run for him, with the subsequent clearance then hitting his arm.

Free-kick for Senegal.

England 1-1 Senegal

20:59 , Will Castle

50 mins: CHANCE! England have started really slowly in this second-half, and they’re nearly punished.

Rice is caught in midfield and it’s played left before being whipped in by Camara, fizzing to the feet of Diarra in the box who fires over first-time.

Big wake-up call for Tuchel’s men.

England 1-1 Senegal

20:58 , Will Castle

48 mins: Former Liverpool and Blackburn troublemaker El Hadji Diouf is in the crowd - and according to commentary, the now Senegal national team advisor had some “choice words” for referee Rappart at half-time.

As pleasant as ever.

BACK UNDERWAY! England 1-1 Senegal

20:55 , Will Castle

And we’re off again!

No changes at half-time - to the surprise of some, Tuchel has opted to keep the already-booked Walker on the field.

Roy Keane gives brutal assessment of Kyle Walker's part in Senegal goal

20:48 , Will Castle

“I think he’s been lazy. I know he’s had a difficult few months, but for a vastly experienced player like him, he can’t be making mistakes like that,” said Keane on ITV1.

Now 35, Walker’s days as a England starter could - or probably should - be numbered.

(Getty Images)

Senegal deservedly on terms with England at the break

20:46 , Will Castle

(Getty Images)
(The FA via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

HALF-TIME! England 1-1 Senegal

20:39 , Will Castle

More work for Tuchel to do at half-time.

Senegal started the better side but it was England who led for much of the half, with Harry Kane putting the Three Lions in front on seven minutes.

However, persistent pressure from the visitors paid off when Ismaila Sarr caught Kyle Walker napping to equalise five minutes before the break.

(Getty Images)

England 1-1 Senegal

20:38 , Will Castle

45+2 mins: Harry Kane gets away from Camara, and looks to drive forward... but there goes the whistle!

England 1-1 Senegal

20:37 , Will Castle

44 mins: After being responsible for Senegal’s equaliser, Walker has just been booked. Not the end to the half the 35-year-old would have been hoping for.

Senegal snatch 'deserved' equaliser

20:36 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

Senegal deserve their equaliser. Or, to put it another way, England don't deserve to be ahead.

Senegal have had more passing moves, carved out a few decent chances and posed problems for the England defence.

Trevoh Chalobah has been the best of the back four so far while Dean Henderson had to make a couple of excellent saves in the first quarter of an hour.

(Getty Images)

GOAL! England 1-1 Senegal (Sarr, 40')

20:32 , Will Castle

Senegal catch England napping!

It’s brilliant from Jackson, who keeps chase on the ball over the top and manages to keep it in on the byline.

Hooking it backwards, a sprinting Sarr catches Walker out to reach the ball first and fire home.

It’s really poor from the Man City right-back, who has to be more aware. ThomasTuchel’s England have been breached.

England 1-0 Senegal

20:28 , Will Castle

36 mins: SAVE! It’s another smart stop from Henderson!

Gueye drives diagonally into the box and gets an effort away through the legs of a handful of England players - but despite seeing it late, Henderson is alert and gets down to save.

England 1-0 Senegal

20:26 , Will Castle

34 mins: Mendy nearly loses his nerve as Gordon closes the Senegal keeper down - luckily for the former Chelsea keeper, he does get his pass beyond the winger.

Otherwise, we would have had a repeat of the howler he made at Elland Road in 2022 - a game Tuchel was managing in.

England 1-0 Senegal

20:23 , Will Castle

32 mins: Audible cheers and applause as Morgan Gibbs-White begins to warm up on the touchline.

Hometown hero on the Trent!

'A remarkable miss'

20:20 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

A remarkable miss by Anthony Gordon, shooting wide from four yards. Until then, Gordon had made a positive impression, bringing energy, urgency and a willingness to run in behind the Senegal defence. But it was an awful miss.

England 1-0 Senegal

20:20 , Will Castle

28 mins: MISS! Anthony Gordon can’t believe he’s missed that!

It’s fizzed across the box and looks certain to be a second for England, with Gordon there for the tap in - but he puts it wide!

England 1-0 Senegal

20:19 , Will Castle

25 mins: England are playing with a lot more confidence as this game goes on, with intent on punishing the high Senegal back line.

Meanwhile, Senegal are also finding no luck with referee Frappart, who reminds them who’s in charge after complaints rain in regarding a decision that went against the visitors.

(Getty Images)

England 1-0 Senegal

20:12 , Will Castle

21 mins: Gallagher turns the ball over high up the pitch - exactly why you want him in the team - but just chooses the wrong pass as Senegal’s defence scramble.

He feeds Saka who gets closed and cornered, forcing him to go backwards.

England 1-0 Senegal

20:09 , Will Castle

18 mins: Free-kick in a dangerous position goes awry as England try to go low and under the wall.

It’s cleared by Senegal but England have the ball again at the back.

England 1-0 Senegal

20:08 , Will Castle

15 mins: SAVE! Sarr latches onto a cross to head goalwards but it’s a super save by Henderson.

Another important stop from the Palace keeper on only his second England start.

Harry Kane delivering for Thomas Tuchel

20:05 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

Harry Kane wants to start every game and, so far, he has scored in every game under Tuchel. That is four in four now but some of the credit belongs to Eberechi Eze, who won the ball from Lamine Camara.

(The FA via Getty Images)

England 1-0 Senegal

20:04 , Will Castle

12 mins: Decent run from Anthony Gordon leads to a corner, which is thumped away by Senegal.

It comes after Henderson was forced into a save down the other end.

Lively start so far - very different to Andorra, I’ll tell you that.

GOAL! England 1-0 Senegal (Kane, 7')

19:59 , Will Castle

Against the run of play it may be, but England have the breakthrough!

Eze dances through midfield and plays it to Gordon in the box. The winger forces a save out of Mendy, but Kane is there to gobble up on the loose ball and fire home!

England 0-0 Senegal

19:57 , Will Castle

5 mins: SAVE! Senegal have started really well and it’s once again the visitors who are creating the early chances.

Ndiaye cuts inside and slips through Jackson, who fires towards the near post - Henderson is equal to it and sticks out a leg to save.

England 0-0 Senegal

19:53 , Will Castle

2 mins: First shot of the night goes the way of Senegal, and already, alarm bells will be ringing for Tuchel.

One ball completely cuts open Rice and Gallagher in midfield and allows Gueye to get a shot away, which rolls through to Henderson.

KICK-OFF! England 0-0 Senegal

19:51 , Will Castle

We are (finally) underway at the City Ground!

Garibaldi fan group hold up special tifo

19:49 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

The Garibaldi fan group have held up a huge tifo celebrating Viv Anderson, Nottingham Forest's European Cup-winning right-back and the man recognised as England's first black player.

The teams are out

19:45 , Will Castle

Four and a half minutes behind schedule, the teams finally take to the City Ground.

Here come the national anthems...

Senegal making England wait

19:44 , Will Castle

Referee Frappart has poked her head around the door to try and coax the Senegal team out of their dressing room while the England team wait in the tunnel.

Kick-off will be a couple minutes delayed because of this bizarre hold up.

T-minus five minutes until kick-off!

19:40 , Will Castle

Just five minutes to go until things kick off at the City Ground!

Can England produce a more acceptable performance after the inadequacies of Andorra? Or will Senegal inflict more woe to Thomas Tuchel’s side?

Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates from the friendly, next.

Thomas Tuchel won’t pull punches when criticising England

19:30 , Will Castle

Thomas Tuchel says England cannot shy away from criticism if they are to make the improvements required to win the World Cup.

Asked if it was a risk being so publicly critical of the team, Tuchel responded: “What risk? You were in the stadium. What should I tell you? That we played a good match and are happy.

“The risk is only that you exaggerate it and make something of it that was not there. Everything I said I said already to the team. There is no harm done.

“We were not happy and no single player will be happy with what we showed today. Why would the coach be? And why would we be shy of saying so?

“If we want to get better, we first need to address that we were not happy with the end of both halves.”

We weren’t happy – Thomas Tuchel won’t pull punches when criticising England

Thomas Tuchel plays down pressure of England job after Andorra near miss: ‘I have felt more’

19:20 , Will Castle

Thomas Tuchel says he is “always ready” for the pressure of managing England, having “felt more” of it in his career.

“I always feel pressure as I am not happy with myself,” he said after the game at the RCDE Stadium, which naturally saw a significant majority of England fans.

“The biggest pressure comes from myself. We have three wins and three clean sheets and we have a friendly match on Tuesday. I have felt more pressure than that.”

Thomas Tuchel plays down pressure of England job: ‘I have felt more’

England's home for the evening

19:10 , Will Castle

(The FA via Getty Images)
(The FA via Getty Images)
(The FA via Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel must solve unique puzzle to bring out England’s best qualities

19:00 , Miguel Delaney

It is one of those curiosities that international football tends to throw up far more than the club game - and just something else that Thomas Tuchel has to get used to.

On Saturday in Barcelona, England spent so much time struggling to attack that it actually ended up illustrating issues in defence. The manner in which Andorra congested the area around their goal ensured Tuchel’s side had to keep looking for space, which was invariably much further back. That meant Dan Burn was on the ball more than any other player in the first half.

The Newcastle United centre-half has previously remarked to Tuchel that he was amazed by how much more time he spends on the ball with England than with Newcastle. That is mostly down to the fact that around 80% of the squad's games are going to be against sides significantly below their level - like Latvia, let alone Andorra - but the manager is also trying to implement a new style. England are going to seek to be much more fluid in possession.

Thomas Tuchel must solve unique puzzle to bring out England’s best qualities

Bukayo Saka returns in 'interesting' line-up

18:58 , Richard Jolly at the City Ground

An interesting England line-up, to say the least.

An all-Chelsea centre-back partnership and a chance for Dean Henderson in goal.

A somewhat needless recall for Kyle Walker, which may not bode well for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

A first appearance under Tuchel for Bukayo Saka. Eberechi Eze gets the nod as the No 10 ahead of Cole Palmer and the local favourite Morgan Gibbs-White.

Line-ups CONFIRMED!

18:48 , Will Castle

England XI: Henderson; Walker, Chalobah, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Eze, Gordon; Kane.

Senegal XI: Mendy; Koulibaly, Niakhite, Diouf; Diatta, Gueye, Camara, Diarra; Ndiaye, Sarr; Jackson.

Line-ups expected in the next few minutes

18:35 , Will Castle

Not too long until the teams for tonight’s friendly is revealed. Here’s a reminder of what we already know:

Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the England squad due to injury, while Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher were not considered for the Andorra fixture.

Changes are likely, with Saka now in line for his first appearance under Thomas Tuchel. Morgan Gibbs-White is also perhaps in line for a start on his home ground.

A switch could also come in goal with Tuchel weighing up whether to use a keeper other than Jordan Pickford.

Senegal are without Sadio Mane, who has asked not to feature in this game for personal reasons.

Thomas Tuchel ‘impatient’ for improvement with England

18:30 , Will Castle

England boss Thomas Tuchel admitted he was “very impatient” when it came to seeing his side take to his style of football and confirmed there would be changes for Tuesday’s friendly against Senegal.

Asked when England would be playing the style of football he liked, Tuchel replied: “I’m very impatient, which is not always a good thing.

“I’m always impatient because when you step out into the stadium and even if the fixture itself for the players is after a big season, after big finals, European finals, fighting for Champions League places in a big league, it might not be the most exciting fixture.

“But for me personally, once I step into a stadium, see the grass, smell the grass, see 7,000 English supporters there ready to go, I’m instantly expecting something from myself and from the players and it will be the same tomorrow.

“Of course, I’m impatient and want to do better. We are thinking about giving the players a little bit more freedom in the structure – let’s see.

“Tomorrow we face a more physical and demanding team. On paper it might not look as offensive as we were against Andorra but will give the players more freedom to express themselves and hopefully we see that on Tuesday.”

Thomas Tuchel ‘impatient’ for improvement with England

England v Senegal referee: Who is history-making female official Stephanie Frappart?

18:27 , Will Castle

A trailblazing figure has already made her mark in England’s international friendly against Senegal tonight, with female official Stephanie Frappart in charge at the City Ground.

The French referee etched her own name in Three Lions history back in 2023 when she became the first female to oversee an England men’s senior game when they took on Australia at Wembley.

She’s back in the thick of things at the City Ground and has already dished out three yellow cards, with Levi Colwill, Kyle Walker and Krepin Diatta all in the book.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s referee:

England vs Senegal referee: Who is history-making female official Stephanie Frappart?

Thomas Tuchel urges England to play with a smile ahead of Senegal clash

18:15 , Will Castle

Thomas Tuchel wants his England team to play matches the same way they train – with a smile on their face.

“I see us train with a smile, but not play with a smile,” Tuchel said.

“We need to improve, for sure. We need to improve in connections, in support, in interactions in the group.

“I feel we are too isolated on the pitch. We have not clicked yet. I don’t see it has clicked between the players.

“We haven’t done that yet, but it’s also not the moment to look only on the negative side. We have a lot of positives to take away in training and in the sessions I see a lot of it, and it will obviously take a little bit to translate it to the pitch.”

Thomas Tuchel urges England to play with a smile ahead of Senegal clash

Jude Bellingham misses England training due to funeral but could face Senegal

18:00 , Will Castle

Jude Bellingham missed training on Monday due to a family funeral but will be available for England’s season-ending friendly against Senegal.

The 21-year-old started Saturday’s snoozefest in Barcelona as Thomas Tuchel’s side continued their winning start to World Cup qualification with a 1-0 triumph against minnows Andorra.

England round off the campaign with Tuesday’s friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham, where Bellingham is ready to feature despite sitting out training due to a personal matter.

Jude Bellingham misses England training due to funeral but could face Senegal

How Bukayo Saka’s Christmas sacrifice energised Arsenal and England return

17:45 , Richard Jolly

Bukayo Saka is used to getting everywhere quickly. He played in the final of a major international tournament at 19, another at 23. He debuted for Arsenal 17. Before his 24th birthday, he is past 250 appearances, having captained them in the Champions League. And yet there was an occasion when his journey was an agonisingly slow affair. It was Christmas Day when the turkey was served.

“When everyone got up to go to the dining room, it took me about ten minutes to get there,” said a man suddenly transformed into Arsenal’s non-flying winger by the most serious injury of his career. Saka underwent hamstring surgery on Christmas Eve. It was testament to his determination to return as soon as possible that he did not delay it until after the festive period. He was grateful to the doctors who set their alarms for the middle of the night.

Read more as Saka reflects on his greatest injury setback ahead of an expected England return:

How Bukayo Saka’s Christmas sacrifice energised Arsenal and England return

Thomas Tuchel explains why Club World Cup will give Liverpool and Arsenal huge advantage next season

17:30 , Richard Jolly

Thomas Tuchel believes the Club World Cup will give Liverpool and Arsenal a major benefit in next season’s title race as he argued it will come at a considerable cost to Chelsea and Manchester City.

“I think it will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage in the next season to not be there,” he said.

“I think it will be a very nice experience for the players who are there to play this tournament for the first time so it is mixed feelings about it. I decided not to worry too much because why should I?

“It is a given and no one knows what will be the outcome of it or the effect. We will deal with the effect when the effect comes. We have a lot of teams in Champions League next season and European football and let’s see.”

Tuchel explains ‘huge advantage’ Liverpool and Arsenal will have next season

The Harry Kane dilemma Thomas Tuchel faces ahead of the World Cup

17:15 , Richard Jolly

Harry Kane was already in his thirties, albeit by less than two weeks, when Thomas Tuchel agreed to pay €100m for him. Bayern Munich have since seen a return in the form of 82 goals in two seasons and if Tuchel need not worry how much resale value the striker has, he only needs to concern himself if Kane can keep going until a World Cup that ends just before his 33rd birthday.

The England captain has looked far further into the future, however. An admirer of Tom Brady, Kane has spoken of a desire to play into his forties. He admires Cristiano Ronaldo for his longevity and, at the age of 40, the Portugal captain has scored in both the Nations League semi-final and final in the last week. Can Kane follow in his footsteps? Tuchel believes it will not be easy. Ronaldo is an anomaly in many respects. His age is one of them.

Read more:

The Harry Kane dilemma Thomas Tuchel faces ahead of the World Cup

Odds for the friendly

17:00 , Will Castle

England win 2/5

Draw 16/5

Senegal win 11/2

The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.

Predicted line-ups

16:45 , Will Castle

England XI: Henderson; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Jones; Saka, Gibbs-White, Gordon; Kane

Senegal XI: Mendy; Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; Sarr, Gueye, Camara; Diatta, Ndiaye, Jackson.

What is the team news?

16:30 , Will Castle

Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the England squad due to injury, while Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher were not considered for the Andorra fixture.

Changes are likely, with Saka now in line for his first appearance under Thomas Tuchel. Morgan Gibbs-White is also perhaps in line for a start on his home ground.

A switch could also come in goal with Tuchel weighing up whether to use a keeper other than Jordan Pickford.

Senegal are without Sadio Mane, who has asked not to feature in this game for personal reasons.

(PA Wire)

Is England vs Senegal on TV? How to watch tonight's international friendly

16:15 , Will Castle

England vs Senegal is due to kick off at 7.45pm BST on Tuesday 10 June at the City Ground in Nottingham.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. A livestream will be available via ITVX.

England vs Senegal LIVE

16:00 , Will Castle

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England’s next international assignment as Thomas Tuchel’s side host Senegal at the City Ground.

Tuchel will be demanding significant improvement from his players off the back of Saturday’s thoroughly underwhelming display against Andorra, which saw England scrape through with a 1-0 win.

And facing much more threatening opposition in Senegal, the Three Lions will surely not be able to get away with such a drab outing tonight.

Stay tuned for all the team news and build-up ahead of the international friendly.

England host Senegal at the City Ground (The FA via Getty Images)
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.