Why was Harry Kane's penalty retaken for England versus Croatia at 2026 FIFA World Cup?

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There was drama right at the beginning of England's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign as Harry Kane's penalty was ordered to be retaken against Croatia after having his initial spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. But why?

'One of the best opportunities we will have' - Kane on England's 2026 World Cup chances

Video credit: SNTV

Luka Modric had fouled Noni Madueke in the eighth minute, giving captain Harry Kane the chance to open the scoring from the spot in the Group L encounter in Dallas.

But Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic was a match for Kane's effort, diving to his right and parrying the ball away before it was cleared by a defender.

However, just seconds later the video assistant referee told referee Clement Turpin there had been encroachment by the Croatian goalkeeper.

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"Kane was doing the stutter and waiting for the keeper to move, and he did," former England defender Lee Dixon said on ITV coverage of the game. "Whether there is enough to order a retake..."

Television replays showed defender Josko Gvardiol inside the box before Kane struck the ball, as well as Livakovic off his line a fraction early.

Turpin explained to the crowd inside the stadium in Arlington that the penalty was to be retaken because Livakovic had come off his line, with TV replays showing a tiny gap between his right boot and the goal-line.

The ITV commentary team later said that they had been told it was retaken for both offences.

This time though, Kane made no mistake from the spot, stepping home and successfully converting to open his account for the tournament.

"That takes a huge amount of courage to step up again, go through the process again," Dixon said. "Kane pulls at his socks, looks down, no stutter this time."

The converted penalty was a timely reprieve for Kane having missed his last effort from the spot at the World Cup, in England's quarter-final defeat to France in 2022.

With the goal Kane became just the second England player to score at three separate World Cups after David Beckham, according to Opta.

And the Bayern Munich star followed by scoring a header later in the opening half.

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