Kane's penalty miss highlights double-touch rule in England's defeat to Spain

Harry Kane struck a second-half penalty against the crossbar during England's Nations League match against Spain, and he may actually feel relieved about the miss. A penalty was awarded to the Three Lions after Italian referee Davide Massa consulted the VAR pitchside monitor and determined that Jude Bellingham had been fouled by Rodri in the box. England captain Kane took the spot-kick but hit the underside of the bar, much to the relief of goalkeeper Unai Simon.

However, the Bayern Munich forward inadvertently broke a little-known rule during the attempt, as he made contact with the ball twice. Kane's standing left leg touched the ball before his right foot did. This double-touch was only evident on replays. Had he scored, the goal would have been disallowed and he would have been instructed to retake the penalty. The 33-year-old could have celebrated a successful first attempt, only to face embarrassment if he missed the follow-up. IFAB rules, which UEFA adheres to, stipulate that penalties scored with an accidental double-touch must be retaken, while missed penalties result in an indirect free-kick awarded to the opposing team.

That was indeed the situation at Wembley, as after two substitutions by Spain, Massa eventually awarded the World Cup winners a free-kick inside their own box.

A statement released by UEFA in June 2025 stated: "UEFA will immediately implement the clarification provided by IFAB of Law 14 with regard to cases of double touch of the ball by the player taking a penalty kick. Consequently, all UEFA matches will now be played under the new interpretation of Law 14."

Law 14 outlines: "If, before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs: the kicker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick: if the ball enters the goal from the kick, the kick is retaken; if the ball does not enter the goal from the kick, an indirect free kick is awarded."

Kane's penalty miss marked his first since the Qatar 2022 World Cup, having scored nine consecutive penalties since then. This incident occurred in the 55th minute, and by the 60th minute, the score was 2-2 as Alex Baena equalised for the world champions shortly after coming on.

England and Spain played an exhilarating first hour in London, with Spain taking the lead within two minutes as Lamine Yamal capitalised on a Marc Guehi error to score. The Three Lions responded with two quick goals before half-time, with Anthony Gordon and Kane both finding the net to energise the Wembley crowd.

Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted the winner in the Euro 2024 final against England in Berlin, restored the visitors' lead in the 74th minute with a superb lofted finish.

Kane's first-half goal was his 86th for his country in his 122nd cap. However, Thomas Tuchel's influential No.9 will be disappointed not to have scored more, having also missed a good first-half chance when he curled a shot just wide instead of passing to Gordon, who was in space inside the area.

Kane was substituted in the 83rd minute, making way for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who earned his 13th cap. Despite the substitutions, with Morgan Rogers, James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White also coming on for England, Tuchel's side ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat in their Nations League opener. They will be back in action on Tuesday against Czechia in Prague.

Source: Express.co.uk