England headed into the halftime break in a difficult position during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash against DR Congo, trailing 1-0 at Atlanta Stadium, Georgia. Brian Cipenga's seventh-minute strike handed the African nation a surprise lead, leaving Thomas Tuchel's side with plenty of work to do after the break to keep their World Cup campaign alive.
The game's biggest talking point arrived in the 43rd minute when Jude Bellingham threaded an incisive through ball into the DR Congo penalty area for Harry Kane. The England captain timed his run to perfection, racing beyond the defence and bearing down on goal before attempting to round goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Kane nudged the ball past the keeper but then then went to ground inside the box as he tried to skip past Mpasi's trailing hands and immediately appealed for a penalty, but referee Adham Makhadmeh was unmoved, waving play on.
The incident was subsequently reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee, with officials checking for a possible foul inside the box. However, the on-field decision remained unchanged, with VAR opting not to recommend an on-field review and England's appeals ultimately dismissed.
Slow-motion replays quickly divided opinion among fans, with some believing Mpasi had made enough contact to bring Kane down, while others argued the striker went to ground too easily. The decision rapidly became one of the biggest talking points of the match, sparking debate across social media over whether England should have been awarded a penalty.
The referee and VAR didn't give a penalty here 😬 pic.twitter.com/QLNKH89cVr
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 1, 2026
Former Premier League referee Graham Scott also backed the on-field decision, speaking to The Athletic he said, "Harry Kane only has himself to blame: by dragging his left foot into the onrushing goalkeeper, he created doubt in the referee's mind, and his penalty claim was waved away.
"On first viewing, England fans – including me – were no doubt screaming ‘penalty' at their TV screens, and many referees would have agreed.
"There is a good case for one, as goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi undoubtedly makes significant contact with Kane, and there is no way the VAR would have recommended a review had Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh pointed to the spot.
"However, Kane goes to great lengths to ensure that contact occurs, plants both feet on the ground and falls theatrically – all clues to the referee that the England striker was having him on. Fair play to Makhadmeh for standing strong.
"Had Kane carried on running as normal, he may have been brought down anyway – and earned the penalty he craved – or he might have reached the ball and rolled it into the empty net. I wish he had."
The incident quickly sparked a flood of reactions on social media, with fans split over whether Kane had been denied a legitimate penalty or had gone down too easily.
Harry Kane what a shameless dive 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 don't ever compare this guy to Haaland pic.twitter.com/MLIotsUMZt
— Danis (@DanisMCFC) July 1, 2026
Harry Kane clearly dived but wasn't booked!🤯
— TopCee (@UtdTopCee) July 1, 2026
He initiate contact by leaving his leg. NOT A PENALTY https://t.co/5z94gUe9Sn pic.twitter.com/n1HSBclhpx
How on EARTH is this NOT a penalty?!?
— Football Away Days (@AwayDaysFB) July 1, 2026
FIFA are doing their best to get England out of the World Cup, to pave the way for Argentina to get an easy route to the final.. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gwd67hd1pr
Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh got it absolutely right by NOT awarding England a penalty.
— mufcytp (@mufcytp) July 1, 2026
The goalkeeper was already on the ground and clearly withdrew his hands. Harry Kane then appeared to initiate the contact.
Kane was fortunate not to be booked for simulation. pic.twitter.com/XcaUef8zt5
England now face a difficult second half as they attempt to overturn the deficit and keep their World Cup campaign alive. History offers little encouragement, with the Three Lions having not won a men's FIFA World Cup match after conceding first since the 1966 final against West Germany.
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