Argentine movie halls screen national team's matches

Buenos Aires, July 8 (IANS) Over 100,000 people across Argentina have watched their national team compete in the 2014 World Cup at movie halls, which broadcast the games.

The National Cinema and Visual Arts Institute (INCAA) said in a statement that it has made 38 movie halls available for screenings of national team matches, featuring star footballer Lionel Messi, Xinhua reported.

Argentina Saturday defeated Belgium 1-0 to advance to the semifinals against the Netherlands in Sao Paulo Wednesday. The two nations haven't disputed a World Cup semifinal since the 1990 edition in Italy.

"Following the 1-0 win over Belgium to qualify for the semifinals, the INCAA continues to broadcast the national team matches at cinemas around the country, where Argentines have watched the games for free and at top quality," INCAA said.

Movie halls in 17 of Argentina's 23 provinces are broadcasting the games, including Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and Santiago del Estero.

--IANS/CMC

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