Argentina-Bosnia game witnessed record attendance

Rio de Janeiro, June 17 (IANS/EFE) FIFA statistics reveal that Sunday's game between Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovnia was the most attended game in the 2014 World Cup so far, with more than 74,000 spectators here at the Estadio Maracana.

The Brazilian government has estimated the revenues of Argentina game against Bosnia and Herzegovina at $50 million, according to tourism officials in Rio de Janeiro, reports EFE.

The game attracted 50,000 Argentine nationals, each spent $1350 on hotels and other venues.

Brazilian Tourism Minister Vinícius Lages estimated that a total of 600,000 tourists would visit the country during the world tournament and hoped that the number would only increase.

The game did not witness any disturbing events except for a few demonstrations which were dispersed by security forces.

In Brasilia, 35,000 fans flocked to the Estádio Nacional de Brasilia only an hour prior to the game between Switzerland and Ecuador. It prompted FIFA to ask fans to go to stadiums hours prior to the games.

The 2014 World Cup also witnessed the use of the goal line technology for the first time. It was decisive in counting a goal for France against Honduras when Karim Benzema's shot was deflected by the inner right post into the hands of Noel Valladares before trickling into his goal.

--IANS/EFE

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