England 2-1 Netherlands: Van Dijk Reacts to Penalty Referee 

Well - Lampard's disallowed goal in 2010 against Germany... Campbell's last minute winner against Argentina in 1998... Maradona's Hand of God (which is actually *celebrated* around the world...) After a string of obvious refereeing blunders, this was England's first big refereeing break since 1966 (which I don't think was over the line...)

The laws of the game state that if a foul leading to a direct free kick is committed within the 18-yard penalty box, a Penalty Kick is given, full stop. Had this event happened anywhere else on the field, play would have been stopped and a free kick given, no matter the outcome of Kane's kick. It's a late challenge, with the studs up, the foot high, and its right through Kane's foot. Its 100% a foul, and since it happened in the box, its a Penalty. The interpretation that it's too harsh or unfair to give a PK for that just because its in the box is just that, interpretation. VAR Followed the Laws of the Game word for word in having this called back to be checked for a penalty.

What about saka s Handball???

Kane flopped like a little fish and deserved a yellow at minimum for antics. But sadly no referee has the balls to card the dozens of flops every single game. Ruins the sports' integrity and invalidates wins/losses including this one.

In this kind of situation, whoever ends up getting the ball first ends up being fouled by the person who touches them having arrived late. I.e., if the defender got there first and Kane then kicked him, it would have gone the other way. Since Kane got there first, it was a legitimate penalty. The main objection to the preceding line of reasoning is that the 'defender had a right to go for it', but having a right to go for it doesn't translate into a right to be shielded from concededing a foul. Instead, it might shield the defender from being red-carded despite studding Kane on the grounds that he was clearly trying to go for the ball even though he missed it.

Football is turning into American Football. A safety bubble for wealthy owners paying rich players on investments. Defense is slowly being eliminated by playing as softies to not hurt the owners bank.

Kane kick the defender instead 🤣🤣🤣

SAKA hands the ball 5 seconds b4 the clash between Kane and Dumfriess so no penalty

It's a fair penalty. Most defenders get away with it bc it doesn't catch the opponent. The Dutch would have been pissed if it was the other way around and they didn't get the penalty call.

Europapa

I'm an England fan. This wasn't a penalty in my view. But you can't go back in time and second guess what would have happened if it hadn't been given. It's quite possible that the Netherlands would have held on and won 1:0. It's also quite possible that England would have scored three more goals (Foden had one shot kicked off the line and another that hit the corner of the crossbar). I feel sorry for the Dutch. We've had our fair share of bad luck in the past (disallowed goals, dodgy sendings off etc.), but it looks like in this tournament we're getting a bit of luck (goal in the 96th minute, winning on Penalties and this penalty 'gift'). I just hope our luck holds out for one more game. Everyone thinks the Spanish are much better, but with Foden, Saka, Bellingham and Kane (plus some Palmer, Toney and Watkins to bring on if needed), we might just score one more goal than they do.