SAO PAULO, Brazil – Defender Jan Vertonghen scored from a rebound in the 78th minute to give 10-man Belgium a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday to clinch top spot in Group H at the World Cup.
It was Belgium’s third straight victory of the group stage and set up a meeting with the Unites States in the round of 16.
SEE MORE: Complete scores and group standings
South Korea was eliminated with the loss – joining the other three Asian nations at the tournament.
Vertonghen was a stand-in captain for injured star Vincent Kompany. He knocked in the winner after South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu had saved a shot from Divock Origi.
Belgium was reduced to 10 men just before the break when Steven Defour was sent off for a two-footed challenge, but South Korea couldn’t capitalize.
GROUP H FINAL STANDINGS
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