Harry Kane delivers verdict on 'disgraceful' England penalty in dramatic Euro 2024 semi-final win
Harry Kane insisted England deserved their controversial penalty in a dramatic win over the Netherlands, joking his foot was “hanging off” after Denzel Dumfries’ challenge.
The Three Lions reached another European Championship final as they won 2-1 in Dortmund, Ollie Watkins coming off the bench to fire in a 90th-minute winner and drag Gareth Southgate’s side into the final to face Spain.
The Netherlands had taken the lead early in the semi-final, through a brilliant strike from Xavi Simons, but England responded from the penalty spot in the first-half.
Kane got a shot away in the box and was then caught by Dumfries, though the referee waved away the appeals as the striker rolled around in pain. A VAR review led to the referee consulting the pitchside monitor, and he returned to point to the spot.
The England captain swiftly recovered to step up and take the penalty himself, finding the bottom corner despite Bart Verbruggen guessing correctly, and he was asked for his view on the decision after the match.
"My foot's hanging off so he definitely caught me,” Kane said.
“Sometimes you get them sometimes you don't. I was happy to step up and see that go in the back of he net. It was a nice feeling for sure."
Ian Wright suggested the officials were correct to award a penalty, believing the challenge from Dumfries was “reckless”, but fellow pundit Gary Neville slammed the decision.
“As a defender, I think it's an absolutely disgraceful decision,” the ITV pundit said.
“To have that given against me as a penalty at any time, let alone in such an important game. He just goes in naturally to try and block the shot. It's not a penalty for me. It's nowhere near a penalty. I have to say, there weren't many England players asking for it either."
