Why Newcastle United legend would be ‘raging’ at Harry Kane decision if he were not a Geordie

Alan Shearer has slammed referee Felix Zwayer for awarding England a first-half penalty in their 2-1 win over the Netherlands.

The Three Lions found themselves a goal down after just seven minutes when Xavi Simons found the net from distance. However, England struck back shortly after when Harry Kane sent a spot-kick rifling into the bottom corner.

But the moment was marred in controversy as VAR intervened with what seemed like an innocuous incident. Kane volleyed an effort from close range over the bar and connected with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries.

The officials waved away the faint England protests only to be summoned to the pitchside monitor. As is usually the case, Zwayer reversed his on-field decision and the Three Lions were given a lifeline.

Kane dispatched the resulting penalty in ruthless fashion before Ollie Watkins netted a dramatic injury-time winner. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Newcastle United legend Shearer insisted he would be “raging” as a Netherlands fan.

“Never, ever, ever a penalty for me,” he said. “Never a penalty. If I were a Dutch fan I’d be absolutely raging that it was given against them. The defender is trying to block the ball and it’s only because of Harry Kane’s follow-through that he connects.

“The referee didn't give it. So for the VAR to say ‘You’ve made an absolute howler’. Remember, this is what they told us, that it’s only going to be brought in for the howlers and they’re not going to re-referee the game. That was a classic of them re-refereeing the game - he should never have been sent to the screen.

“We got lucky with that decision. If you want to win a tournament, which England have a good chance of doing, you’re going to need a little bit of everything.”