VAR backs referee after Kane goes down in box against DR Congo at World Cup

Harry Kane was denied a penalty in the first half of England’s round of 32 World Cup clash with DR Congo on Wednesday after referee Adham Makhadmeh ruled the England captain had dived following a challenge by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. VAR conducted a rapid review and opted to support the on-field decision, leaving England without what several pundits felt was a clear spot-kick.

Kane had rounded Mpasi and appeared to make contact with the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands before going to ground. Makhadmeh, unconvinced, awarded a free-kick to DR Congo rather than pointing to the spot.

BBC commentator Alan Shearer was unequivocal in his disagreement. “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 added: “I do think DR Congo have got away with one.”

Paul Robinson, speaking on BBC 5 Live, was equally critical of the call. “They have got that wrong — that is a penalty. The contact is there,” he said, insisting his view was not influenced by national allegiance.

At half-time, Micah Richards acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while still leaning toward a penalty. “He touches him, the goalkeeper definitely does touch him,” Richards said. “I can understand why it wasn’t overturned, but I just think he touches him so I want that as a penalty.”

Former goalkeeper Joe Hart offered a wry perspective, suggesting Kane would have been well aware of the contact in the moment. “As soon as I miss that ball and I feel Harry Kane’s contact, I’m getting ready,” Hart said. “He will be absolutely delighted when he looks up and sees the referee not giving this, because I would expect that to be given against me.”

The incident added a layer of controversy to a tense first half, with England pressing for the breakthrough against a disciplined DR Congo side.