--- title: "Kane penalty denied as Shearer and Rooney trade blows on soft vs dive" description: "England’s captain saw his late appeal waved off against DR Congo—sparking a VAR review and a public spat between two pundit heavyweights over contact and intent." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/why-was-kane-denied-a-penalty-in-england-s-win-over-dr-congo-d16b399a published: 2026-07-03T03:02:10.528+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T03:02:10.528+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer"] --- # Kane penalty denied as Shearer and Rooney trade blows on soft vs dive > England’s captain saw his late appeal waved off against DR Congo—sparking a VAR review and a public spat between two pundit heavyweights over contact and intent. England’s 2-1 win over DR Congo was decided before stoppage time, but the game’s talking point came in the 87th minute when Harry Kane went down under a challenge from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. The referee waved play on immediately. VAR intervened, reviewing the incident frame-by-frame. After three minutes, the on-field decision stood: no penalty. Kane’s appeal had been denied. England’s bench and players accepted the call, but the punditry erupted. Alan Shearer, on BBC’s Match of the Day, argued that Mpasi’s knee made contact with Kane’s calf, enough to draw a foul. “It’s soft, but it’s contact,” Shearer said. “You can’t tell me there wasn’t something there.” Wayne Rooney, also on the same broadcast, countered that Kane initiated the fall, selling a contact that wasn’t there. “He goes down too easily,” Rooney said. “If you’re going to go down, make sure it looks real. This one didn’t.” The debate wasn’t just about one incident—it’s about England’s identity under Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel’s side have been criticized for lacking killer instinct in the box, and this moment only amplified the scrutiny. With Kane as captain and primary penalty taker, every close call now carries extra weight. For Tuchel, the bigger issue is consistency. England have scored just two penalties in their last eight attempts across major tournaments. VAR’s silence on soft-contact calls only fuels the narrative that the thresholds for intervention remain inconsistent. The Kane-Mpasi incident also exposed a deeper tactical rift. England’s set-piece strategy has leaned heavily on Kane’s aerial presence, but his frequent presence in the box during open play—where these soft-contact incidents occur—has invited criticism. Defenders now target Kane’s movement, knowing his reputation for going down easily can draw fouls, even if marginal. Historically, England’s penalty records under pressure show a pattern: they convert at 62.5% in the last five major tournaments, below the tournament average of 78%. The Kane denial adds another data point to a trend that Tuchel must address before facing Brazil. If England’s forwards can’t force clear penalties, they’ll need to manufacture goals from open play—something they’ve struggled with in tight games. The VAR review itself lasted three minutes, but the debate over the call stretched far beyond the pitch. Social media lit up within minutes, with supporters dissecting every angle of the challenge. Kane’s reputation for drawing fouls—real or perceived—has become a double-edged sword. While it forces defenders to respect his positioning, it also invites cynicism, particularly when marginal contact is involved. The incident reinforced the broader frustration among England fans: when marginal decisions go against them, the lack of clear, consistent VAR intervention only deepens the sense of injustice. Tuchel’s tactical dilemma is now twofold. First, he must decide whether to adjust his forward line’s movement to reduce Kane’s exposure to soft challenges. Second, he faces the unenviable task of managing expectations around penalty calls. England’s recent history suggests they’re more likely to face scrutiny than benefit from VAR’s intervention in high-pressure moments. That reality could force Tuchel to rethink his entire attacking approach ahead of the Brazil showdown. What’s next: England face Brazil in the next round. If Kane’s penalty appeal had been awarded, the narrative heading into that match might have been about composure under pressure. Instead, the focus shifts to Tuchel’s options—starting lineup, set-piece strategy—and whether England can convert when it matters most. ## Why this matters Controversial officiating moments involving England’s captain always shape the tournament’s early narrative. With Thomas Tuchel at the helm, these decisions—and the ensuing debate between legends—define the chatter before the knockout rounds. The Kane penalty denial in the 87th minute wasn’t just a missed call; it crystallized questions about VAR’s role, England’s penalty record, and Tuchel’s ability to navigate high-stakes officiating debates. ## Frequently asked ### What was the exact incident involving Harry Kane and Lionel Mpasi? In the 87th minute of England’s 2-1 win over DR Congo, Kane went down under a challenge from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. The referee waved play on, VAR intervened, and the on-field decision stood—no penalty. ### Did VAR overturn the penalty decision? No. After a three-minute review, the VAR team upheld the on-field call. The decision was final: no penalty awarded to England. ### What did Alan Shearer say about the penalty appeal? Shearer argued there was contact between Mpasi’s knee and Kane’s calf, calling it a soft but legitimate foul. He stated, 'It’s soft, but it’s contact. You can’t tell me there wasn’t something there.' ### How did Wayne Rooney respond to the incident? Rooney disagreed, saying Kane initiated the fall and sold a contact that wasn’t there. He commented, 'He goes down too easily. If you’re going to go down, make sure it looks real. This one didn’t.' ### How has England’s penalty record been recently? England have scored just two penalties in their last eight attempts across major tournaments, raising questions about composure and conversion under pressure. ### Who is the referee for England vs DR Congo? The match was officiated by Adham Makhadmeh, who made the initial no-call before VAR reviewed the incident. ## Sources & Citations - [Why was Kane denied a penalty in England’s win over DR Congo?](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/england-dr-congo-penalty-harry-kane-var-b3006984.html) — Independent Sport (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Kane penalty denied as Shearer and Rooney trade blows on soft vs dive. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/why-was-kane-denied-a-penalty-in-england-s-win-over-dr-congo-d16b399a