Atlanta: England were left furious after captain Harry Kane was denied a late penalty during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash against DR Congo, with the VAR decision sparking widespread debate.
The incident occurred in the first half when Kane was brought down inside the box while chasing a through ball, with England players insisting there was clear contact from DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Penalty appeal waved away
Referee Adham Makhadmeh immediately waved away the protests, ruling that Kane had gone down too easily. Despite strong appeals from England players, the VAR officials chose not to intervene, deciding there was no “clear and obvious error”.
Kane was visibly shocked by the decision, while England head coach Thomas Tuchel was seen expressing frustration on the touchline.
Former England players react
The decision quickly drew criticism from pundits, with former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson stating that the challenge should have resulted in a penalty.
He argued that the contact was sufficient to warrant a spot-kick, adding that the decision was “completely wrong” from his perspective.
VAR explanation and debate
Officials reportedly backed the on-field call, with VAR maintaining that the incident did not meet the threshold for intervention. This meant the referee’s original decision stood.
However, the controversy intensified on social media, with many fans pointing out similar incidents elsewhere in the tournament where penalties had been awarded.
Some defended the decision, suggesting Kane may have been looking for contact, highlighting the ongoing inconsistency in VAR interpretations.
Match momentum shifts after controversy
DR Congo had earlier taken a surprise lead through Brian Cipenga, putting England under pressure in a tense knockout encounter.
England gradually fought their way back into the match, with Kane eventually equalising in the 75th minute before producing a brilliant 86th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 comeback victory.
Despite the win, the penalty controversy remained a major talking point after the final whistle.
Conclusion
While England progressed to the Round of 16, the VAR decision denying Harry Kane a penalty ensured the match did not end without debate. The incident has once again raised questions about consistency in refereeing at the highest level of international football.