England denied penalty after Kane challenge in DR Congo match

England were denied a potential penalty when captain Harry Kane went down in the box under contact from DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi late in the first half of their World Cup last-32 tie. Kane, played through on goal, knocked the ball past the onrushing Mpasi and fell to the ground. While there was clear contact, referee Adham Makhadmeh waved away England's appeals, gesturing that Kane had dived but not issuing a yellow card. The video assistant referee (VAR) upheld the on-field decision, leaving England trailing 1-0 at halftime after Brian Cipenga's seventh-minute strike.

VAR and referee decision under scrutiny

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann told BBC One: "There are four of us here, two think it's a penalty, two think it's not a penalty and therefore it's not clear and obvious in terms of VAR. From live play it looks a penalty, a small touch on Harry Kane's ankle from the goalkeeper and he would be expecting to give away a penalty. From the referee's angle, Kane puts his two feet together, he stumbles and it doesn't look as much of a penalty. There-in lies the difference. For me, I think it's a penalty. The referee's decision would stand if he had given a penalty, the VAR would not have intervened."

Pundits divided on the call

Opinion among BBC pundits was split. Former England striker Wayne Rooney said: "I'm all for the forwards, but I think Harry Kane trips himself a bit and jumps into the goalkeeper a little bit. I think it looks like he has dived into him, so it probably isn't a penalty." However, former England goalkeeper Joe Hart disagreed: "If it's on my water bottle, I am working out where Kane's next penalty is going to be. Mpasi will be delighted to when he looks up and sees the referee not giving it, because I would expect that to be given against me." Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: "I just think Lionel Mpasi touches Harry Kane, so I want that as a penalty."

Radio pundits see it differently

On BBC Radio 5 Live, pundits believed Kane created the contact but still deemed it a foul. Former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton said: "Definite penalty. I think even though Kane has initiated the contact, where else is he supposed to go when Mpasi comes out that quick? I'm so shocked the VAR didn't overturn the decision to be honest." Ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: "If England are to lose then there will be a question asked for a long time because it's a stonewall penalty. Harry Kane initiates the contact but the contact is there. He's very clever, very experienced and he goes into the goalkeeper."

Despite the controversy, Kane scored twice in the second half to help England secure victory and advance in the tournament.