The VAR expert explained the controversial penalty

England has reached the final of the Euro Championship for the second time in a row by performing brilliantly throughout the match. However, Harry Kane's penalty overshadowing that achievement has been criticized by football pundits and social media.
The incident happened in the 17th minute of the match. Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane wants to get the ball in the box with a strong shot. But when he went to take a shot, Dutch defender Densel Dumfries blocked it with his boot. However, Kane's shot was taken before he could touch the ball, and Dumfries' shot caused Kane to fall to his feet in severe pain.
In the beginning, the referee did not give a foul. However, after a while, VAR inserted the left hand into the game. The referee is asked to watch the TV replay from the sideline. The referee blows the penalty whistle after watching the TV replay.
Although replays did not call it a foul, neither did the TV commentators. At that moment, Bukayo touches Saka's hand and passes the ball to Kane. As a result, it was a handball before the penalty.
However, where the referee's decision is final, the verdict is in England's favor despite the controversy. And Kane equalized the team from the spot kick.
After that, even though there were no more goals in the match, Ollie Watkins took England to the final by scoring at the very last minute of the scheduled time.

Like the experts
The decision of the referee has been washed away by two former footballers of England. During the match, Liverpool's former English defender and Sky Sports football expert Jamie Carragher gave his opinion against the penalty. "It is never a penalty," he wrote in an X post.
On the other hand, ITV's football expert and former English footballer Gary Neville also commented that a 'very shameful act' has been done against the Dutch.
"As a (former) defender, I think it's an absolutely disgraceful decision. ... He (Dumfries) naturally went to block the shot," he said in the half-time show. In my view this is not a punishment. It's not even close to a penalty. I have to say, a lot of England players may not have wanted it (penalty).
At the end of the match, Dutch captain Virgil von Dijk said, "The referee ran towards England's dressing room before the end of the match. A lot of things can be understood from this.

VAR Expert Explanation
After the match, VAR expert Dale Johnson explained the reason for the penalty. According to him, the spike under Dumfries' boot hit Kane directly. This led to referee Bastian Dunkaert changing his decision.
Johnson said, "Why did Dunkeert give a penalty?" He noted the pace nature of Dumfries' challenge. Instead of trying to kick the ball, he raises the sole of his boot, a reckless challenge. That is why he has been shown a yellow card.
"This is a situation where if the defender hits the attacker after taking the ball shot and it seems dangerous, then the incident can be seen as a penalty," he said.
Johnson believes VAR saw the review because Kane was writhing in pain. But no matter how controversial, in the end England left the field with victory. As a result, Gareth Southgate's team reached the final for the second time in a row.
Next Sunday (July 14) at 1 am Bangladesh time, the Three Lions will enter the field in search of the first Euro title against the three-time champions Spain at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.