Ten-man Belgium beat South Korea to top their World Cup group and set up a last-16 tie against the United States.
South Korea needed a win so the onus was on them to attack and they were helped when Steven Defour was sent off for a reckless tackle on Kim Shin-wook.
A Son Heung-Min cross struck the face of the Belgium crossbar but the Asian side struggled to create chances.
And Jan Vertonghen scored the Red Devils' winner when he slotted in after a Divock Origi shot was parried.
Belgium have been criticised for a lack of flair so far in the tournament, but there is little question about their resilience as they have let in just one goal in three games and are unbeaten in their last 13 competitive matches.

Key facts

  • Belgium kept back-to-back clean sheets at the World Cup for the third time. On all three occasions they won both games 1-0.
  • South Korea had 16 shots (including those blocked) and failed to score. They scored with two of eight attempts against Algeria.
Their victory - the first time the Red Devils have won three group games at a World Cup - eliminated a South Korea side who lacked a cutting edge to go with their endeavour.
South Korea boss Hong Myung-Bo apologised to his country's fans after a 4-2 defeat by Algeria in their previous match and his side began with the greater urgency in Sao Paulo.
However, Hong's side might have conceded a spot-kick when Kim Young-gwon cynically blocked Anthony Vanen Borre in an offence which began outside the box and continued inside the penalty area.
And despite all South Korea's early effort they should have gone behind when a Kevin Mirallas shot broke for Dries Mertens, only for the Belgium midfielder to sidefoot high from eight yards with just the keeper to beat.
Hong's side tried to respond, with Ki Sung-yeung's 25-yard shot being turned around the post by keeper Thibaut Courtois.
And from the resulting corner a header back across goal came off Belgium defender Nicolas Lombaerts before being hacked off the line by Defour.
That was almost the last action of the match for Defour as he was soon sent off for a dangerous studs-up tackle which caught Kim on his shin.
Belgium midfielder Steven Defour (centre) is sent off during the game against South Korea
Defour receives Belgium's third World Cup red card, after Eric Gerets in 1990 and Gert Verhayen in 1998
With South Korea having the numerical advantage Hong brought on forward Lee Keunho for midfielder Han Kook-young at half-time.
And the substitute striker almost had an immediate impact as he had a shot blocked before heading a cross over, while a Son cross struck the face of the crossbar.
South Korea's need to attack left them exposed at the back and Belgium took advantage.
Origi had looked lively for Belgium after coming on as a substitute and, after his 22-yard strike being parried by keeper Kim Seung-gyu, Vertonghen reacted quickest to slot in the winner.
Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen scores for his side against South Korea
Belgium's last six World Cup goals have come in the final 20 minutes of matches
South Korea manager Hong Myung-bo consoles one of his players
South Korea have kept one clean sheet in their past 12 World Cup games
Belgium are unbeaten in their last nine World Cup group stage matches
Belgium are unbeaten in their last nine World Cup group stage matches

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

South Korea

  • 21 Kim Seung-gyu
  • 12 Lee Yong
  • 03 Yun Suk-young
  • 16 Ki Sung-yueng
  • 20 Hong Jeong-ho Booked
  • 05 Kim Young-gwon
  • 17 Lee Chung-yong
  • 14 Han Kook-young (Lee Keun-ho - 45' )
  • 18 Kim Shin-wook (Kim Bo-kyung - 66' )
  • 13 Koo Ja-cheol
  • 09 Son Heung-min (Ji Dong-won - 73' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Jung Sung-ryong
  • 02 Kim Chang-soo
  • 04 Kwak Tae-hwi
  • 06 Hwang Seok-ho
  • 07 Kim Bo-kyung
  • 08 Ha Dae-sung
  • 10 Park Chu-young
  • 11 Lee Keun-ho
  • 15 Park Jong-woo
  • 19 Ji Dong-won
  • 22 Park Joo-ho
  • 23 Lee Bum-young

Belgium

  • 01 Courtois
  • 21 Vanden Borre
  • 05 Vertonghen
  • 16 Defour Dismissed
  • 15 van Buyten
  • 18 Lombaerts
  • 08 Fellaini
  • 19 Dembélé Booked
  • 11 Mirallas (Hazard - 88' )
  • 20 Januzaj (Chadli - 60' )
  • 14 Mertens (Origi - 60' )

Substitutes

  • 02 Alderweireld
  • 06 Witsel
  • 07 De Bruyne
  • 09 Lukaku
  • 10 Hazard
  • 12 Mignolet
  • 13 Bossut
  • 17 Origi
  • 22 Chadli
  • 23 Ciman
Ref: Ben Williams
Att: 61,397

MATCH STATS

Possession45%55%90minsSouth KoreaBelgium

Shots

1615

On target

45

Corners

74

Fouls

1612

Live Text Commentary

Full time
Full TimeMatch ends, South Korea 0, Belgium 1.
90:00+4:21Full time
Full TimeSecond Half ends, South Korea 0, Belgium 1.
90:00+4:13
Foul by Lee Yong (South Korea).
90:00+4:13
Divock Origi (Belgium) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90:00+4:00
Foul by Koo Ja-Cheol (South Korea).
90:00+4:00
Eden Hazard (Belgium) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90:00+3:08
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
90:00+2:43
Delay in match Anthony Vanden Borre (Belgium) because of an injury.
90:00+1:16
Attempt saved. Divock Origi (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90:00+0:48
Corner, South Korea. Conceded by Thibaut Courtois.
90:00+0:42
Attempt saved. Lee Keun-Ho (South Korea) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lee Chung-Yong with a cross.
90:00+0:33
Corner, South Korea. Conceded by Daniel van Buyten.
90:00+0:32
Attempt blocked. Koo Ja-Cheol (South Korea) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Yong.
90:00+0:25
Attempt saved. Lee Chung-Yong (South Korea) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ji Dong-Won.
89:07
Hand ball by Jan Vertonghen (Belgium).
89:02
Attempt saved. Eden Hazard (Belgium) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
88:21
Foul by Lee Chung-Yong (South Korea).
88:21
Eden Hazard (Belgium) wins a free kick on the right wing.
87:08Substitution
SubstitutionSubstitution, Belgium. Eden Hazard replaces Kevin Mirallas.
86:34
Kim Young-Gwon (South Korea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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