‘As soon as I saw the replay, my heart was in my mouth’ Controversial Mexico penalty decision splits England opinion
Opinions were divided as to whether or not Mexico should have had the chance to peg England back to 3-2 in their World Cup round of 16 clash.
In perhaps the game of the tournament so far, Raul Jimenez was took the chance to score from the spot and trim back ten-man England’s lead.
But the BBC punditry team were divided on whether or not the referee got the decision right after reviewing footage on the pitchside VAR screen.
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Mixed views on Mexico penalty after Harry Kane foul
With Engalnd 2-1 up, Jarrel Quanash was sent off for England after a VAR review correctly determined that his high sliding challenge on Jesus Gallardo amounted to serious foul play.
But England extended their lead shortly afterwards in an absolutely breathless game, with Kane converting from the penalty spot after Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel brought down Anthony Gordon inside the box.
Alan Shearer did not feel a spot kick should be given, saying after first seeing the replay: “Is that a clear and obvious error made by the referee? He had him in one of the first games, didn’t he (France vs Senegal), when he didn’t give [Kylian Mbappe] that penalty.”
The Australian official did give the spot kick, though, leaving Shearer to continue to insist he thought the decision was harsh.
BBC referee analyst Darren Cann agreed, saying: “Yes, it is a penalty.
“Harry Kane, unfortunately, does kick the Mexican’s foot. It’s a little bit similar to the Modric kick that England won a penalty for in the first group game, where Harry Kane is unaware of the player coming in. Unfortunately, he does make contact. It is a foul. It’s in the penalty box, it’s a penalty.
“This is the only referee who has been sent to the monitor this World Cup and actually stuck with a decision that was the France-Senegal game with the Mbappe penalty [shout], but on this on this occasion it’s the correct decision. Penalty kick.”
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart agreed with Cann, saying: “On all three decisions, I think the referee’s come to the right decision.
“I know Alan is very keen to say that wasn’t a penalty, and obviously everyone’s got their opinions, but I felt every single one that I saw they got right, including the penalty that they got.
“As soon as I saw the replay, my heart was in my mouth.
“I thought Quansah deserved to go, I thought Kane didn’t get anything on the ball, and I thought Gordon got there first.”
