Key Moment: Kane Goes Down

During a heated World Cup 2026 match between England and DR Congo, striker Harry Kane went down inside the penalty area after a collision with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. England players immediately appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved them off, much to the crowd’s surprise.

What Happened on the Pitch

In the second half, Kane raced towards goal as Mpasi rushed out to close him down. The two collided, and Kane fell to the ground. Replays showed contact between Mpasi and Kane’s leg, but the referee decided it was not enough for a foul.

• The incident happened near the end of the game with England trailing 1-0.
• VAR checked the play but did not overturn the on-field decision.

Why the Referee Said No

Referees often judge that the goalkeeper got to the ball first or that the contact was minimal. In this case, the official signaled that Mpasi made slight contact with the ball before hitting Kane. This is a common reason for waving off penalty appeals in soccer.

• According to soccer rules, if the goalkeeper touches the ball first, any contact with the player is usually not a penalty.
• Many fans and analysts disagreed, saying the goalkeeper did not clearly get the ball.

England’s Reaction

England’s players and manager were frustrated by the decision. Captain Harry Kane said after the match that he felt there was enough contact for a spot kick. However, the team must now focus on their next group-stage game.

• The loss left England with an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout rounds.
• DR Congo celebrated the win, which put them in a strong position in the group.

Looking Ahead for England

Despite the controversial call, England still has a chance to advance. They will need to win their remaining matches and hope for other results to go their way. The penalty decision will be debated for days, but the team must move on.