England’s first match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Tunisia has served up drama in the first 45 minutes itself.
England did take the lead through Harry Kane and were piling on the pressure for the second. But, Kyle Walker was adjudged to have fouled in the penalty box which led to a penalty for Tunisia, one which Ferjani Sassi converted to level the score.
The penalty awarded might have been soft, but England fans were furious at the referee not rewarding England a penalty for a rugby-styled foul on Harry Kane in the opposition penalty box, with many suggesting VAR should have given it.
Tunisian player runs into Kyle Walker’s extended arm – penalty.
Harry Kane wrestled to the ground – no penalty.
VAR still has a lot of convincing to do! #ENGTUN #WorldCup
— Rob Wildey (@robw986) June 18, 2018
So Tunisia get a penalty for their player running into Kyle Walker’s arm, but #England get bugger all for Kane being wrestled to the ground off the ball. Yeah that makes sense #SHITREF #ENGTUN
— Jon Morgan (@Jon11473) June 18, 2018
✅ Penalty given on Walker.
❌ No penalty given for Kane being rugby tackled. #TUNENG pic.twitter.com/YLY985mnuO
— Super 6 (@Super6) June 18, 2018
Sorry referee and your VAR pals put that was a spear tackle on Kane #TUNENG pic.twitter.com/n7r3n1pBJy
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 18, 2018
Walker incident was a penalty – but VAR somehow didn’t pick up this on Harry Kane a few mins ago… #ENG pic.twitter.com/EGD3IVdIUY
— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) June 18, 2018
You can’t give a pen for that Walker foul and not for that rugby tackle on Kane!
— ConnorTruelove (@ConnorPosh) June 18, 2018
Kyle Walker accidentally hits a player – penalty .. Harry Kane wrestled to the floor .. nothing .? #ENGTUN #England pic.twitter.com/xWOraYU4kt
— Robbie White (@RobbieJWhiteUK) June 18, 2018
Going to give the Tunisian defender the benefit of the doubt and assume he was trying to save Harry Kane from a giant flying insect. #ENG #worldcup pic.twitter.com/4GQCY3SzgF
— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) June 18, 2018
Harry Kane basically RKO’d in the box but somehow VAR misses it ???
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) June 18, 2018
Live footage of that challenge on Harry Kane pic.twitter.com/nggAdFiRng
— Alex Lambe ? (@RugbyLambo) June 18, 2018
Stonewall penalty on Harry Kane not given. This ref and VAR are a joke. #WorldCup #TUN #ENG #TUNENG
— ?? vs ??????? Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) June 18, 2018
Harry Kane just got rugby tackled and the ref forgot about his whistle. So much for consistency.
— Zack Goldman (@ThatDamnYank) June 18, 2018
Tunisia defender on Harry Kane like… #ENGTUN pic.twitter.com/nZKvNRQaVS
— Lidl UK (@LidlUK) June 18, 2018
That’s a penalty too on Harry Kane! That tackle wouldn’t look out of place in a rugby match #WorldCup
— David Meyler (@DavidMeyler7) June 18, 2018
We agree Kyle Walker’s penalty was soft, but it should have been given. Harry Kane’s though, was an even clearer foul and should have been flagged as such. Only time will tell whether this will have an impact on the result.
