We expected Harry Kane to be a talking point in the Malta game, however no one expected it to be for a Kane dive.
After seven minutes, England were ahead against their opposition. It wasn’t quite the goal everyone would expect from a team full of talent, but it was a goal. Malta defender, Enrico Pepe, unfortunately put the ball in his own net.
It’s a strange goal, but England won’t mind.
They go 1-0 up against Malta.
🎥 @C4Sport pic.twitter.com/lRCrkX4L1O
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 17, 2023
Many thought England would go on to score a few in the first half, this wasn’t the case. England zero shots on target in the first half against a team they’re expected to make lightwork of.
The other main talking point was a potential Kane dive. The England captain took the ball around the goalkeeper, after he made a poor mistake, and was caught by the goalie. Everyone inside Wembley and watching at home expected the referee to point to the spot, however the referee disagreed and booked the England captain for a dive.
It was a decision that has baffled many. There was clear contact on Kane, but it could be argued Kane planted his leg looking for the contact.
Harry Kane could not believe he got booked for diving after Malta’s keeper appeared to take him down in the box 😮
Should he have gotten a penalty? 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/oeTzthPcng
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) November 17, 2023
How has social media reacted to the Kane dive?
The Kane dive was certainly split opinions on social media. Despite the commentators believing it was a penalty, social media hasn’t exactly favoured England’s all-time scorer.
Some have suggested the Kane dive is something we’ve been seeing for a long time in the game and it’s about time the Bayern striker was penalised.
Others, including Dominos, believe the referee was mistaken and it wasn’t a yellow card for Kane. While others, Paddy Power, took cheeky digs at the Bundesliga for turning the former Premier League hitman into a diver.
Here are just some of the many comments about the Kane dive on the X (formerly Twitter):
The ref watching Kane swan dive in the box pic.twitter.com/9GhLBaTYHO
— James. (@afcjxmes) November 17, 2023
Harry Kane sticks his leg out to draw the contract and gets booked for it…
Finally a ref that can see what games he plays..
— Shaun (@LfcShaunjudge) November 17, 2023
The VAR didn’t get involved in the Kane yellow / penalty because the replays suggested Kane had initiated it by placing his left foot into the goalkeeper to show contact.
File it under not overturned whichever way the ref has given it.
Yes, I know. pic.twitter.com/lcYfCWA63z
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) November 17, 2023
That Kane booking was the worst decision since BBQ base.
— Domino’s Pizza UK (@Dominos_UK) November 17, 2023
Harry Kane has been booked for diving.
A couple of months in the Bundesliga and he’s turned into Jurgen Klinsmann.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 17, 2023
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