Harry Kane lay on the turf, arms outstretched, demanding a penalty. The England captain had been played through on goal, knocked the ball past DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, and went down under contact — but referee Adham Makhadmeh waved play on, gesturing that Kane had dived. The Jordanian official did not even show a yellow card. A check from the video assistant referee upheld the decision, leaving England a goal behind at half-time after Brian Cipenga's seventh-minute strike.
Inside the BBC studio, pundits were split. Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said: “There are four of us here, two think it's a penalty, two think it's not … From live play it looks a penalty, a small touch on Harry Kane's ankle from the goalkeeper … For me, I think it's a penalty.” Former England striker Wayne Rooney disagreed: “I think Harry Kane trips himself a bit and jumps into the goalkeeper a little bit … it probably isn't a penalty.” But former England goalkeeper Joe Hart was clear: “I would expect that to be given against me.” Micah Richards added: “I just think Lionel Mpasi touches Harry Kane, so I want that as a penalty.”
“Harry Kane scores twice to beat DR Congo 2-1 after a controversial penalty appeal is rejected.”
Kane, though, did not let the frustration fester. He struck twice in the final 15 minutes to turn the game on its head, securing a battling 2-1 victory and a last-16 meeting with Mexico on Monday, 6 July. The comeback sent fans in London into wild celebration, with scenes of joy across the capital as the Three Lions avoided a shock exit in Atlanta.
England now face a daunting trip to the Estadio Azteca, where Mexico are notoriously strong. But for now, the debate over Kane's penalty appeal will linger. As Cann noted: “The referee's decision would stand if he had given a penalty — the VAR would not have intervened.”