Many questioned whether it was actually a penalty – but unearthed footage suggested that Harry Kane’s controversial equaliser against the Dutch was problematic even before that.
England”s equaliser in the first half against the Netherlands sparked controversy after VAR awarded Kane a penalty following an attempted block by Denzel Dumfries.
However, some sharp-eyed viewers noticed an incident just before Dumfries’ challenge that should have resulted in a free-kick for Ronald Koeman’s team.
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England was trailing 1-0 after Xavi Simons capitalised on a momentary lapse from Declan Rice, firing a long-range shot beyond Jordan Pickford’s reach in the seventh minute.
The Three Lions retaliated about 10 minutes later when German referee Felix Zwayer unexpectedly signalled a penalty after a sudden VAR review.
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Bukayo Saka launched a threatening run into the penalty box, feigning a shot before finally releasing it and seeing his strike blocked by Tijjani Reijnders.
The deflected ball landed at Kane’s feet, who sent his sliced attempt soaring over the bar but immediately fell to the ground under pressure from Dumfries.
ITV commentators Sam Matterface, Ally McCoist and Lee Dixon were among the many viewers puzzled when a VAR check for a possible penalty was announced moments later.
After a quick trip to the pitchside monitor, Zwayer indicated a penalty, giving England a much-needed break.
(Image: ITV)
Kane, as usual, didn’t falter from 12 yards, shooting low and hard past Bart Verbruggen, who dived correctly to his left but couldn’t stop the Bayern Munich superstar.
The penalty decision sparked outrage among Dutch fans and surprise among relieved England supporters.
However, a new replay has emerged online that seems to show the ball ricocheting off Saka’s hand and into Kane’s path after the Dutch defence blocked his shot.
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Some viewers have been left gobsmacked by the possibility of VAR missing such a pivotal moment in an already contentious call.
On the other hand, some remain sceptical that the ball actually hit Saka’s hand, arguing that the camera angle makes it seem so but VAR’s alternative angles showed otherwise.
Not only was VAR not in position under guidelines to tell ref to look at monitor for Kane penalty, it also failed to rewind two seconds to show Saka handling the ball into his path. I really can’t believe pros looking at TV can be this incompetent.
England, however, weren’t complaining as Kane’s third goal of Euro 2024 – making him the joint leader in the Golden Boot race – sparked a memorable victory at the Westfalenstadion.
Gareth Southgate’s lads put on their best performance of the tournament and were rewarded in the final moments when Ollie Watkins, who replaced Kane 10 minutes earlier, netted a last-minute winner.
As the clock hit 90 minutes, the Aston Villa star got onto Cole Palmer’s through ball before taking a delicate touch and blasting across Verbruggen from a tight angle.
Virgil van Dijk was among the Dutch players to express their frustration at referee Felix Zwayer’s performance after the match, but it’s England who are gearing up for Sunday’s final in Berlin against favourites Spain.