Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher hit out at the ‘disgraceful decision’ to award England a controversial penalty in their 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
The Three Lions were given the perfect chance to equalise from the spot after Harry Kane was adjudged to have been fouled by Denzel Dumfries following a VAR review.
Gareth Southgate’s side conceded just seven minutes into the Euro 2024 semi-final clash through Xavi Simons’ long range stunner.
But they were back on level terms in the 18th minute with Kane expertly dispatching his penalty into the bottom left corner to bring up his third goal of the tournament.
However, many fans and former England players believe they were lucky to get the penalty, with VAR intervening.
Instructing referee Felix Zwayer to go to the pitchside monitor, Dumfries could be seen making contact with Kane’s foot after the striker fired his shot over the bar.
And despite Dumfries appearing not to hinder Kane’s effort, the German match official pointed to the spot, which the Bayern Munich marksman dispatched.
Taking to X immediately after the call, Liverpool legend Carragher posted, ‘Never a penalty,’ accompanied by two laughing face emojis.
Meanwhile, Manchester United icon Neville raged on ITV, as he remarked: “As a defender it’s a disgrace. A disgraceful decision.
“To have that given against me as a penalty at any time, but in a game of this importance…
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
"It's an absolute DISGRACE… It's nowhere near a penalty."
"That was RECKLESS from Dumfries."#Euro2024 | #NEDENG | @IanWright0 | @GNev2pic.twitter.com/MBcwzzIgxi
"It's an absolute DISGRACE… It's nowhere near a penalty."“He goes in naturally to try and block the shot. It’s not a penalty for me and no England players were claiming for it either.”
BBC pundit Alan Shearer meanwhile remarked: “There is no doubt that there is contact, but the defender[Dumfries] is trying to block the ball.
“The follow through from Harry Kane makes the connection and I didn’t think it was a howler to be turned over.”
Kane’s goal has now seen him overtake Wayne Rooney to become England’s top scorer in European Championships with seven strikes.
The Tottenham academy graduate struggled in the second, resulting in him being replaced by Ollie Watkins.
And it was Watkins who sparked wild celebrations in the closing stages as he fired home the winner to send England into back-to-back Euros finals.
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