England captain Harry Kane scored twice to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo in Atlanta, but the win was overshadowed by a contentious penalty decision that left pundits fuming. Late in the first half, Kane burst into the box, rounded goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, and went down under contact. Referee Adham Makhadmeh immediately awarded a free-kick to DR Congo, judging the England striker had dived. A quick VAR check upheld the on-field decision, denying England a spot-kick.
BBC commentator and former England striker Alan Shearer was adamant the call was wrong. "There's contact, there's no doubt," he said. "That for me is a penalty. Harry might make the most of it but the keeper has come out and his hands are there. If he's going to come rushing out like that and leave his arms there, as a forward you've got every right to make connection with those hands and go down." Shearer concluded: "I do think DR Congo have got away with one."
“Harry Kane scores twice as England beat DR Congo 2-1 amid fury over a denied penalty for a clear foul.”
Speaking on BBC 5 Live, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson agreed: "Wow. They have got that wrong. They have got that so wrong. That's not just me being patriotic, that is a penalty. The contact is there." On the BBC panel at half-time, Micah Richards said: "He touches him, the goalkeeper definitely does touch him. I mean, if I was a striker, I would definitely want it." Joe Hart added: "As soon as I miss that ball and I feel Harry Kane's contact, I'm getting ready. So he will be absolutely delighted when he looks up and sees the referee not giving this."
Despite the controversy, Kane redeemed himself with two second-half goals to complete the comeback and send England into the last 16. After the match, teammate Declan Rice praised the captain, calling him "ridiculous". England will now face Mexico in the next round at the Estadio Azteca.