England's last-32 victory over DR Congo was overshadowed by a fiercely debated penalty incident involving captain Harry Kane — a moment that divided pundits and left the footballing world arguing over what should have been awarded.

The incident in question

Late in the first half, with England trailing to a seventh-minute goal from Brian Cipenga, Kane was played through on goal. He knocked the ball past advancing goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi but ended up on the ground, prompting immediate appeals from the England players.

Referee Adham Makhadmeh waved the claims away, gesturing that Kane had dived. Crucially, no yellow card was shown for simulation. A VAR review followed, but the on-field decision was upheld — England remained behind at the break. Kane went on to score twice in the second half to seal the result.

Experts split down the middle

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann, speaking on BBC One, captured the dilemma precisely. "There are four of us here, two think it's a penalty, two think it's not a penalty and therefore it's not clear and obvious in terms of VAR," he said.

Cann added that from live play, there appeared to be a small touch on Kane's ankle from Mpasi — enough, in his view, to warrant a spot-kick. "For me, I think it's a penalty," he concluded. "The referee's decision would have stood had he given a penalty, the VAR would not have intervened."

Rooney unconvinced, others disagree

Former England striker Wayne Rooney was among the dissenters. "I think Harry Kane trips himself a bit and jumps into the goalkeeper a little bit," he said. "I think it looks like he has dived into him, so it probably isn't a penalty."

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart took the opposite view. "Mpasi will be delighted when he looks up and sees the referee not giving it, because I would expect that to be given against me," Hart said on BBC One. Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards agreed: "I just think Lionel Mpasi touches Harry Kane, so I want that as a penalty."

A "stonewall penalty" — or clever play?

On BBC Radio 5 Live, pundits broadly agreed that Kane had initiated the contact but that Mpasi was still at fault. Former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton was unequivocal: "Definite penalty. Even though Kane has initiated the contact, where else is he supposed to go when Mpasi comes out that quick? I'm so shocked the VAR didn't overturn the decision."

Ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson was equally direct. "If England are to lose then there will be a question asked for a long time because it's a stonewall penalty," he said. "Harry Kane initiates the contact but the contact is there. He's very clever, very experienced and he goes into the goalkeeper."

The debate may have been rendered academic by Kane's brace, but the question of whether the referee got it right looks set to linger long after the final whistle.