The Round of 32 clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026 between England and DR Congo saw a debatable moment just before the first half whistle when referee Adham Makhadmeh didn’t award the European nation a penalty in what looked like Harry Kane was fouled inside the box in Atlanta.
The incident occured specifically in the 43rd minute when Kane went down in the penalty area during the closing minutes. The Bayern Munich striker, on the run, entered the DR Congo penalty area when goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau came off his line and collided with Kane to avert any danger.
While it looked like that Kane was fouled inside the box by Mpasi-Nzau, a closer look painted different story. Trailing by a goal, the English players pleaded for a penalty but the referee Makhadmeh ordered play on.
Viden Assistant Referee (VAR) helf was taken but the replays clearly showed that Kane did dive on that occasion.
Why Harry Kane’s appeal was not successful?
A closer look at the videos showed that Kane was pre-determined on his mind that h would go down inside the box. It showed that Kane was already on his way down even before Mpasi-Nzau’s hand brushed with the England footballer’s leg. However, the decision divided football experts on TV.
Former England striker Alan Shearer, who is a part of the BBC
BBC commentator and former England striker expressed his belief that it should have been awarded as a penalty, citing clear contact from the goalkeeper.
The decision divided opinions of football experts and fans, with many of them taking to social media to question it and calling it the incorrect call. Ashely Westwood, the expert on the panel for the official broadcast, opined that it was not a clear and obvious error and hence was not overturned by the VAR.
The most likely reason for the decision not going England’s way was that Kane was already on his way down despite the contact from the goalkeeper.
The decision was particularly important in the context of the game since England was trailing after an early goal from Brian Cipenga in the seventh minute.