Date: June 26, 2014

Result: Belgium 1-0 South Korea

Scorers:

Belgium:

  • Jan Vertonghen 78

Venue: Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

Attendance: 61,397

Match overview: South Korea have conceded 11 goals in their last four World Cup group matches. Belgium’s last five World Cup goals have come in the final 20 minutes of matches.

Key moment: The introduction of Divock Origi on the hour mark gave Belgium greater mobility up front. The 19-year-old’s pace and dribbling skills ensured that his side always had an attacking outlet, even though they played the entire second half with only ten men.

Man of the match: Daniel Van Buyten. Even at the age of 36 Van Buyten is a steady presence at the heart of the Belgium defence. On the few occasions that South Korea were able to exploit their numerical advantage, his experience was vital in marshalling the Belgium defence.

Matter of fact: Belgium are now unbeaten in their last 13 competitive games at international level – a new national record.

Talking point: Belgium have come through the group stages as one of just four sides with a 100% record. And yet, they have not really impressed in any of their matches. Is this a reflection of the poor quality of Group H, or a sign of a very good side whose best is yet to come? Only time will tell.

Stats:

Goal attempts

  • Belgium 15
  • South Korea 18

On target

  • Belgium 10
  • South Korea 12

Corners

  • Belgium 4
  • South Korea 7

Line-ups:

Belgium:

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

South Korea:

  • 21 Kim Seung-gyu
  • 12 Lee Yong
  • 03 Yun Suk-young
  • 16 Ki Sung-yueng
  • 20 Hong Jeong-ho
  • 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′ )

Scorers:

Belgium:

South Korea:

Red card:

Belgium:

  • Defour 45

Yellow cards:

Belgium:

  • Dembele 50

South Korea:

  • Jeong-Ho 35

Referee: Ben Williams (Australia)