Harry Kane breaks uncommon UEFA rule in essential second for England vs Spain
Harry Kane missed a penalty for England in their Nations League clash with Spain, but the Bayern Munich striker accidentally broke a rare UEFA double-touch rule in the process
Harry Kane rule break came at a crucial moment in the game(Image: Getty)
Harry Kane thumped a second-half penalty against the crossbar during England’s Nations League match with Spain – and might actually be somewhat relieved that he missed.
A penalty was given to the Three Lions after Italian referee Davide Massa consulted the VAR pitchside monitor and decided that Jude Bellingham had been fouled by Rodri inside the box.
England skipper Kane took the penalty but blasted his shot against the underside of the bar, much to the relief of goalkeeper Unai Simon.
However, the Bayern Munich striker broke a rare rule in the process – he hit the ball twice. Kane’s standing left leg made contact with the ball before his right foot.
Kane had the chance to put England further in front(Image: ITV)
Had he scored, the captain’s goal would have consequently been disallowed and he would have been instructed to retake the penalty. The 33-year-old could have netted then been left red-faced if he missed the retake.
IFAB rules, which are employed by UEFA, state that penalties scored with an accidental double-touch must be retaken, while missed penalties result in an indirect free-kick being awarded to the opposition, reports the Express.
That was the situation at Wembley, as following two Spain substitutions, Massa gave the World Cup winners a free-kick inside their own box.
A statement issued by UEFA in June 2025 read: “UEFA will immediately implement the clarification provided by IFAB of Law 14 with regard to cases of double touch of the ball by the player taking a penalty kick.
Harry Kane had already helped England take the lead(Image: Michael Regan – The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
“Consequently, all UEFA matches will now be played under the new interpretation of Law 14.”
According to Law 14: “If, before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs:”.
England and Spain delivered a riveting first hour of football in London, with Spain seizing an early lead within two minutes as Lamine Yamal capitalised on a Marc Guehi blunder to get the scoreboard ticking.
The Three Lions retaliated with two rapid-fire goals before half-time, courtesy of Anthony Gordon and Kane, setting the Wembley crowd alight.
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final when Spain triumphed over England in Berlin, was brought on to reclaim the visitors’ lead in the 74th minute with a sublime lofted finish.
Kane’s first-half goal marked his 86th for his country on his 122nd cap. However, Thomas Tuchel’s star No. 9 will likely be ruing missed opportunities, having also squandered a promising first-half chance when he opted to curl just wide instead of passing to Gordon in the open space inside the area.
