In what should have been a routine international friendly, England were instead left reeling after a dramatic and controversial 3-1 defeat to Senegal on Tuesday night — their first-ever loss to an African side.
The fallout wasn’t just about the scoreline; it was about a game-changing VAR decision that left fans, pundits, and even captain Harry Kane fuming.
The Equaliser That Never Was
With the game hanging in the balance at 2-1, Jude Bellingham seemed to have salvaged England’s hopes with a scrappy goal from close range after the ball ricocheted inside the box.
The team and fans celebrated, thinking the momentum had swung their way.
But the celebrations were short-lived.
VAR intervened, asking French referee Stéphanie Frappart to take another look at the incident.
After a lengthy review, the goal was ruled out due to a handball by Levi Colwill during the buildup — a call that infuriated many given that Colwill didn’t score and the handball appeared to be completely unintentional.
Kane Doesn’t Hold Back
Harry Kane, who had earlier put England ahead with his 73rd international goal, was crystal clear about how he felt.
“If you know the rules, it’s not handball,” he told ITV after the game.
“That would have made it 2-2, and who knows? Maybe we would’ve gone on to win it. That’s a huge moment.”
Even though Kane kept his composure, the frustration was evident in his voice.
For a seasoned striker and captain, losing a goal in that fashion — especially when the game was still within reach — was a bitter pill to swallow.
Ian Wright Calls It ‘Pathetic’
ITV pundit and former England striker Ian Wright echoed Kane’s frustration, slamming the decision as “pathetic.”
“It’s not deliberate,” Wright said during the post-match discussion.
“He’s not even looking at the ball. How can you give that? Disallowing the goal is just crazy.”
Wright, never one to mince words, captured the disbelief felt across much of the fan base watching at home.
Jude Bellingham’s Fury Boils Over
Bellingham, who had thought he’d rescued his team, didn’t take the disallowed goal lightly.
At the final whistle, he stormed toward the linesman to protest and ended up kicking a cooler in frustration.
Kane had to physically usher him back onto the pitch to settle down and acknowledge Senegal’s win.
The moment captured the raw emotion of the night — a young player desperate to fight for his team, only to be undone by a rule that felt unjust.
Senegal Seal the Deal with a Late Strike
Just moments after the disallowed goal, Senegal put the result beyond doubt.
Cheikh Sabaly netted a third for the visitors in the 93rd minute, capitalizing on England’s frustration and lack of focus.
That final blow sealed a night to forget for Gareth Southgate’s men — or more accurately, Thomas Tuchel, who now leads the team.
Tuchel’s Concerns Grow Ahead of World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel, who took over in January on an 18-month contract, didn’t hide his disappointment.
After already being underwhelmed by a narrow win over Andorra on Saturday, this defeat was not what he needed heading into a crucial stretch before the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel made ten changes to the starting lineup, clearly experimenting with different combinations.
But his squad looked disjointed, out-thought, and at times unmotivated — especially compared to a lively Senegal side.
Kane Says There’s No Panic, But Time Is Ticking
Despite the loss and the controversy, Kane tried to strike a balance between urgency and calm.
“We’re not going to panic,” he said. “But we know we have to be better.
There are new players, new ideas… we’ve got to get on the same page fast.”
He stressed that with the World Cup coming up quickly and limited time for international camps, every match now matters more than ever.
While he didn’t excuse the performance, he acknowledged the growing pains of transition.
What’s Next?
The Three Lions won’t meet again for several months, but this result will linger — not just for the scoreline, but for the way it unfolded.
Between a questionable VAR call, team chemistry issues, and visible frustration from young stars like Bellingham, England has plenty to reflect on.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, the pressure on Tuchel, Kane, and the squad is only going to grow.
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