Why Harry Kane was called for penalty in momentum-shifting moment vs. Mexico

Why Harry Kane was called for penalty in momentum-shifting moment vs. Mexico originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>Momentum swung back-and-forth before the second hydration break in Sunday's match between Mexico and England, and one critical moment came when a penalty on Harry Kane gave Mexico the opportunity to cut its deficit to 3-2.

>A VAR review determined Kane's kick to Brian Gutierrez's leg was a penalty, setting up Mexico's second goal of the night and firing up an Estadio Azteca crowd that had quieted down after Kane scored a penalty of his own minutes earlier.

>Here's what you need to know about the penalty called against Kane.

>LIVE:Follow updates from Mexico vs. England

Harry Kane penalty, explainedKane was called for a penalty after a kick to the leg of Gutierrez as Gutierrez was attempting to make a play on the ball.

>Replay showed Kane likely didn't even see Gutierrez when he kicked up his leg, as the Mexico player ran in from behind the England star to try to make a play on the ball. Kane believed he could cleanly clear the ball, but he instead caught Gutierrez's leg and prevented a scoring opportunity.

ANOTHER PENALTY 🤯

This play from Harry Kane was ruled a pen after a VAR check pic.twitter.com/sIBYimZqR3

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 6, 2026After a brief VAR review, the penalty was called and Mexico found the back of the net for the second time to pull within a goal.

>With the call, Kane became the first player on record to score and concede a penalty in a World Cup game.