The incident came shortly before half-time, with England trailing and looking for a way back into the contest. Kane had taken the ball around Mpasi after being sent through on goal, but the report says a slight push from Axel Tuanzebe appeared to affect his balance before he moved into the goalkeeper.
Rooney’s view focused on Kane’s final movement rather than the contact alone.
“I'm all for the forwards. But I just think he trips himself a little bit and then he jumps into the goalkeeper,” Rooney said.
That distinction is central to penalty decisions. Contact does not automatically mean a foul, particularly when the attacker’s movement contributes to the collision.
Mpasi’s decision to rush from goal left DR Congo exposed and created a genuine decision for the referee. The report says Rooney believed the goalkeeper had taken a risk, but that Kane’s movement made the appeal difficult to support.
VAR’s role was also significant. Rather than identifying a clear error, the review left the original decision in place. The referee had indicated that he believed Kane had gone to ground too easily, although the report says no yellow card was shown.
For Kane, the frustration will come from the opportunity as much as the penalty appeal. He had beaten the goalkeeper to the ball and was close to creating a clear route back into the match, but the incident ended with possession lost and the decision unchanged.
The episode will add another layer to the debate around attacking players and goalkeeper contact. England’s next fixture will reveal whether the focus remains on officiating or shifts back to their ability to create clearer chances without relying on a marginal call.