England vs Senegal match delayed as Thomas Tuchel's players kept in the tunnel

England's recent international friendly against Senegal showcased their offensive capabilities with Harry Kane scoring early, but also exposed defensive vulnerabilities as they conceded a goal from Ismaila Sarr. This match suggests that punters may consider betting on higher-scoring outcomes in future England games, especially given the apparent inconsistency in their defense.

England were kept waiting in the tunnel by Senegal before the two sides went head-to-head in an international friendly in Nottingham on Tuesday evening.

The match was supposed to kick off at 7.45pm, but eventually got underway at 7.50pm following a five-minute delay. The Three Lions hosted a match away from Wembley for the first time in a year as international football headed to the City Ground.

And England boss Thomas Tuchel was aiming to make it four wins from four matches following his appointment at the start of the year. England players came out of the dressing room and hung around the tunnel just before the match was due to get underway.

But they were made to wait for their opponents to join them as the Senegal stars stayed in their dressing room for an extended period of time. And after the away side appeared, ITV commentator Sam Matterface told viewers: “Welcome to the City Ground in Nottingham where we await the arrival of the Senegalese players who have eventually been coaxed out of the dressing room by French official Stephanie Frappart. Three-and-a-half minutes after they were supposed to emerge.”

Tuchel made 10 changes to the team that whimpered to a 1-0 victory over Andorra in World Cup qualifying on Saturday as only captain Harry Kane kept his place.

And the Bayern Munich striker nudged his side ahead seven minutes into the contest as he bundled the ball in from close range after former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had parried a shot from Anthony Gordon. But Crystal Palace attacker Ismaila Sarr drew the visitors level five minutes before halftime after Kyle Walker had been caught out at the back.

Following the equaliser, former Everton midfielder Leon Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is a really good goal as far as Senegal are concerned but that is really poor from England - particularly Kyle Walker.

“I have enjoyed how Senegal have mixed up their game. [Nicolas] Jackson can only do one thing there and hook it in and Ismaila Sarr has six yards or so to make up on Kyle Walker, who reacts too late.”

Walker also came under fire on ITV, with former Arsenal right-back Lee Dixon insisting: “Ismaila Sarr is goalside of Kyle Walker. He has to expect the ball to come in. He goes to sleep. Poor from Walker. Sarr out-thinks and out-sprints England's right-back.”

And ex-Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane hissed: “Kyle Walker is a vastly experienced player, but he just can't be bothered getting back in. For a vastly experienced player, you can't be making mistakes like that.”

England went head-to-head with Senegal in an international friendly on Tuesday evening.

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