VAR Penalty Retake
VAR Awards Harry Kane Retake Penalty, England Scores Opener vs Croatia
Key Points
For Kane’s first penalty, Express reports he used a “stuttered, ‘tippy-toe’ run-up,” sending a scuffed shot toward the bottom-right corner that Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved—before a whistle and review found (1) Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol had entered early, and (2) Livakovic hadn’t kept at least one foot on the line.
Express adds further detail on why the save was overturned: because the illegally entering Croatian defenders “actively participat[ed] in clearing the ball immediately after the save,” the rules on technical advantage required the referee to penalise the infraction (with VAR confirming both violations).
The Sun reports Luka Modric’s “Legacy” patch will sit beneath the World Cup 2026 logo on the player’s right sleeve, and that five players in total have been granted it—Modric joined by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Yuto Nagatomo and Manuel Neuer (the latter two beginning their tournament careers in 2010).
TalkSPORT says Kane’s Golden Boot patch is a special privilege FIFA grants and that it’s a reward for becoming only the second Englishman to finish as World Cup top scorer after Gary Lineker (2018 and Lineker as the earlier example). It also reports FIFA will remove the Golden Boot patches from match-worn shirts after each game, turning them into physical memorabilia for fans to collect via exclusive Topps trading cards.
Harry Kane scored the opening goal of England's 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 — but only after VAR wiped out a stunning Dominik Livakovic save and ordered a penalty retake. Referee Clement Turpin confirmed two simultaneous rule violations: Croatia's Josko Gvardiol entered the box early, and Livakovic failed to keep at least one foot on the goal line.
Kane, wearing a gold "Golden Boot" patch on his sleeve, calmly slotted the second attempt into the bottom-right corner in the 12th minute, giving England the lead in their Group L opener.
Why VAR Erased Livakovic's Heroic Save
Kane's first attempt was a stuttered, "tippy-toe" run-up that produced a scuffed shot toward the bottom-right corner, according to The Express. Livakovic got down to stop it. The ball was cleared and the crowd erupted — but the whistle came seconds later.
VAR flagged two violations at once. First, Gvardiol had stepped into the box before the kick was taken. Second, Livakovic had not kept at least one foot on the goal line during the attempt. Under IFAB Law 14, the key question was whether Gvardiol's early entry affected play. The Express reported he "actively participated in clearing the ball immediately after the save" — meaning Croatia gained a direct benefit. That made a retake mandatory. ITV rules analyst Christina Unkel was blunt: "This is the correct decision."
Kane Converts the Retake to Make History
On his second attempt, Kane ditched the stutter-step and drove the ball cleanly into the same corner. The goal made him the second Englishman — after Gary Lineker — to finish as World Cup top scorer, a status he earned in 2018, according to TalkSPORT.
TalkSPORT also reported that Kane surpassed Lionel Messi to become the all-time leader for penalties scored in World Cup history outside of shootouts, with five. England went on to win the match 4-2, according to Views Bangladesh, despite twice losing the lead in a chaotic first half that ended 2-2.
FIFA's New Sleeve Patches Make Their Debut
Kane was not the only player drawing attention for what he wore. Luka Modric took the field with a "Legacy" patch beneath the World Cup 2026 logo on his right sleeve. According to The Sun, only five players worldwide received the patch — reserved for those who have played at five or more World Cups. The others are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Yuto Nagatomo, and Manuel Neuer.
Kane's Golden Boot patch marks his 2018 top-scorer honor. TalkSPORT reported that FIFA will physically remove these patches from match-worn shirts after every game. The patches are then embedded into exclusive Topps trading cards — turning each one into a unique, collectible item with a potential six-figure auction value.
Croatia Left Frustrated as England Carry Tournament Hopes
Croatia's players and media expressed frustration after the match. Gvardiol's encroachment was described as marginal, though technically clear under high-definition VAR review. The result stings for Croatia, who knocked England out at the semifinal stage in 2018.
For England, the win is a landmark. The country has won just one World Cup title — in 1966 — and reached only two semifinals since. The victory under new manager Thomas Tuchel, combined with Kane's milestone goal, signals that this campaign carries genuine expectation rather than just hope.
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