New rules abound - why VAR diving decision was wrong despite feeling right

Four games, three opening ceremonies, victories for two of the host nations and an eye-catching performance in an entertaining draw for the third.

Setting aside issues around ticket prices and blocked entry for match officials and players, the World Cup itself has got off to a decent start.

Eleven successive days with four matches, then three with six.

While getting our heads around the many kick-off times, football fans are grappling with rule changes that are, in some instances, leaving players, coaches, supporters and TV viewers a little bit confused.

When Dutch referee Danny Makkelie stopped the game between the United States and Paraguay in the early stages of the second half after Antonee Robinson headed the ball out of the home penalty area, it was not initially clear why.

It turned out he was being sent to the pitchside monitor by Spanish video assistant referee (VAR) Carlos del Cerro Grande to review his decision to give USA skipper Tim Ream a yellow card for fouling Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron.

Almiron had not been touched, so Makkelie reversed the caution and gave it to the former Newcastle player instead.

It seemed as though the tweaked 'mistaken identity' rule was being used and was welcomed by many watching.