Why Harry Kane & England were awarded hugely controversial penalty in Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands - explained

Denzel Dumfries thought he'd escaped without punishment after colliding with Harry Kane inside the area in the 14th minute, but referee Felix Zwayer reversed his decision to give a goal kick after being told by the VAR to consult his monitor. Gary Neville called it "a disgraceful decision", while Jamie Carragher wrote on X: "Never a penalty". But Gareth Southgate and Kane didn't care as the England captain stepped up from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

VAR expert Dale Johnson has explained why the VAR, Bastian Dankert, intervened. According to Johnson, the manner of Dumfries' challenge - with his studs raised - caused the reversal of Zwayer's initial call.

"Why has Dankert advised a penalty? He has taken the nature of Dumfries' challenge, leading with the studs as opposed to making an attempt to kick through the ball, as being reckless - which is why the Netherlands' player was booked," Johnson explained. "And that's the one area where a defender catching an attacker after a shot can be seeing as a penalty - when it's reckless or dangerous."

Johnson also believes the VAR was persuaded by Kane staying down in pain.

Ollie Watkins' late strike sealed a 2-1 win for England, who are through to the European Championship final for the second tournament running. Ronald Koeman will no doubt have something to say about the earlier penalty decision which sparked England's turnaround.