England goal ‘shouldnt have stood’ as controversial replay from Euro 2024 win surfaces | Football | Sport
England’s first-half equaliser against the Netherlands caused controversy as VAR awarded Harry Kane a penalty after an attempted block from Denzel Dumfries. But some eagle-eyed viewers have spotted a moment immediately before Dumfries’ challenge that would’ve handed Ronald Koeman’s side a free-kick instead.
England were trailing 1-0 after Xavi Simons profited from a lapse of concentration from Declan Rice, smashing a ranged strike beyond the reach of Jordan Pickford in the seventh minute.
But the Three Lions responded around 10 minutes later when German referee Felix Zwayer surprisingly pointed to the spot after an unexpected VAR check.
Bukayo Saka embarked on a menacing run into the penalty area, teasing a shot before finally letting fly and seeing his strike blocked by Tijjani Reijnders.
The deflection fell into the path of Kane, who blazed his sliced effort high over the bar but immediately collapsed to ground under pressure from Dumfries.
ITV commentators Sam Matterface, Ally McCoist and Lee Dixon were among the mass viewership baffled when a VAR check for a potential penalty emerged moments later.
And after a brief visit to the pitchside monitor, Zwayer pointed to the spot, offering England a much-needed reprieve.
Kane, characteristically, made no mistake from 12 yards, firing low and hard past Bart Verbruggen, who guessed correctly by diving to his left but had no chance at denying the Bayern Munich superstar.
The penalty decision caused uproar among those rooting for the Netherlands and surprise among relieved England supporters.
But another replay has surfaced online that appears to show the ball cannoning off Saka’s hand and into Kane’s path after the Dutch defence blocked his shot.
Some viewers have been left in disbelief by the prospect of VAR missing such a crucial part of the build-up on an already contentious call.
Meanwhile, others are unconvinced the ball actually hit Saka’s hand, claiming the camera angle makes it appear as such but VAR’s alternative angles proved otherwise.
England weren’t complaining, though, as Kane’s third goal of Euro 2024 – making him the joint leader in the Golden Boot race – ignited a memorable victory at the Westfalenstadion.
Gareth Southgate’s men produced their best display of the tournament and were rewarded at the death when Ollie Watkins, substituted on for Kane 10 minutes prior – fired home a last-gasp winner.
As the clock struck 90 minutes, the Aston Villa talisman latched 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 Netherlands’ figures to fume at Zwayer’s officiating performance after full-time, but it’s England who are preparing for Sunday’s Berlin final against favourites Spain.
