SAO PAULO — 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,
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.
Belgium beats South Korea 1-0, wins Group H
Belgium national team with coach Wilmots(fourth from left) in Sao Paulo before their game against South Korea. (AP Photo)