England was left incensed after Harry Kane was denied a penalty in the first half of their World Cup last-32 match against DR Congo. The incident occurred with England trailing 1-0 when Kane, played through by Jude Bellingham, appeared to be fouled by DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Referee Adham Makhadmeh dismissed the penalty claims, signaling that Kane had dived. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials reviewed the play but concurred with the on-field decision. England head coach Thomas Tuchel was visibly frustrated, seen arguing with the fourth official on the touchline, as Kane and his teammates expressed their complaints to Makhadmeh.
Former England striker Alan Shearer stated his belief that the incident should have resulted in a penalty. "There is contact, there is no doubt," Shearer commented on the BBC. "For me that is a penalty. Kane may have made the most of it but the keeper has come out and his hands are there. If he is going to come rushing out like that with his hands as a forward you have every right to make connection and go down."
England conceded an early goal in Atlanta when Brian Cipenga found the back of the net past Jordan Pickford. Despite the early setback, England pushed for an equalizer, with Marcus Rashford's shot cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jude Bellingham's header saved by Mpasi from a Declan Rice cross.