Ten-man Belgium beat South Korea 1-0 to top Group H at the World Cup thanks to a second half goal from Jan Vertonghen. Steven Defour was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Kim Shinwook in the first half and the Porto midfielder will miss Belgium’s last-16 meeting with USA in Salvador on Tuesday.
But despite the man advantage Belgium made it nine points out of nine when substitute Divock Origi’s shot was parried and Vertonghen scored from the rebound.
In the other game in Group H, Algeria drew with Russia to secure their place in the last 16 where they will play Germany in Porto Alegre on Monday.
South Korea needed goals and they started brightly. There were shouts for a penalty when Moussa Dembele appeared to pull down Koo Jacheol in the area but referee Benjamin Williams waved away appeals.
Lee Chungyong then gave the ball straight to Marouane Fellaini in midfield and the Manchester United player’s through—ball found Kevin Mirallas only for the linesman to give offside.
Fellaini was causing South Korea problems and from his knock down in the area Mirallas’ shot was deflected and somehow, from the edge of the six-yard box, Dries Martens blazed over.
On the half-hour South Korea had their first real chance when Ki Sungyueng shot from distance and Thibaut Courtois palmed the ball away for a corner.
From the resulting kick Nicolas Lombaerts headed inadvertently goalwards and Steven Defour had to clear off his line. It was his moment of glory, the moment of shame was to come just before half—time when he was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Kim Shinwook.
South Korea had 45 minutes to make the most of the extra man and they had the first chance of the second half when Lee Chungyong crossed and substitute Lee Keuhno headed over.
At the other end Hong Jeongho looked to have fouled Fellaini just inside the area but the referee waved away half—hearted appeals from Fellaini for a penalty.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots who played against his opposite number Hong Myungbo in the 1998 World Cup brought on 19-year-old striker Origi who scored in the previous game against Russia and it changed the match.
Belgium threatened with a Mertens shot well saved by Kim Seungguy and Son Heungmin hit the bar with a floated cross before Ki went close with a header.
But Origi’s pace on the break was now a real threat for South Korea and when he was finally given some service his speed and trickery forced a corner which he then headed over.
Fellow substitute Nacer Chadli forced the next corner which South Korea defended with all eleven men in their penalty area despite their man advantage.
Their lack of ambition was costing them as the clocked ticked down on their tournament and they paid the price when Origi broke away again.
His shot was parried by Kim in South Korea’s goal but Vertonghen scored from the rebound.
