Referee 'bottled it' after disallowing Danny Welbeck's late goal, says Harry Kane

'In the big moments you need the referee to stay strong but unfortunately he has bottled it'

Harry Kane has accused referee Danny Makkelie of “bottling it” after the official ruled out a late Danny Welbeck striker for a perceived foul on David de Gea in England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain at Wembley.

The visitors had generally been the better team, but almost lost two points in this Nations League opener after a late spell of English pressure saw Welbeck tap in after De Gea went down. Makkelie however responded to his linesman’s flag and ruled the goal out, a decision that incensed Kane.

“100 per cent [it was a goal],” Kane said. “In the big moments you need the referee to stay strong but unfortunately he has bottled it. In the big moments you need a firm referee who doesn’t get decisions wrong under pressure.

“Danny Welbeck stood there, De Gea went up, he caught the ball but as he went down he fell on Danny, no foul or anything, and the ball dropped.”

Kane however took encouragement from the performance.

“It was a good game, a good test against a team that keeps the ball well. It was difficult but we had good spells in the game and we probably created the better chances.

“We tried to press and play with high intensity. There’s a lot of stuff we can learn from but I think we can hold our heads up high.”