May 29, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Belgium forward Kevin Mirallas (7) celebrates his first-half goal with forward Romelu Lukaku against the USA at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Belgium defeated South Korea to remain unbeaten at this years World Cup, winning Group H with the total 9 points possible from their three games. Belgium was assured of advancing into the knockout stages going into this match, but the outcome of the Algeria and Russia match would determine who would join them and in what position.
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The Belgians started with Chelsea’s Thibault Courtois in net again, and the 22-year-old was brilliant as usual, keeping a clean sheet in his third World Cup match. The result is even more impressive given the fact that the Belgians played with only 10 men for the entire second half, as Steven Defour was sent packing in the 45th minute. He was shown a straight red card following a 2 foot tackle on South Korea’s Shin-Wook Kim.
Courtois fellow Chelsea players Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard did not start for the Red Devils. Lukaku did not feature, while Hazard came on late, seemingly for the purpose of getting some running in, as he came in for Kevin Mirallas after 88 minutes had already been played.
It was surprising to not see Lukaku leading the line, and Chelsea fans must be wondering if his poor showing so far in the World Cup was to blame from his omission, or if manager Marc Wilmots is simply resting the big forward for their Round of 16 matchup.
In his short role on the pitch, Hazard proved to inject some pace very late on. He completed the 2 passes he attempted and even had a close range shot on goal which was saved by Seung-gyu. He has yet to score at this years World Cup but did provide an assist against Algeria, the runners up in Group H.
Belgium’s goal came after a shot from forward Divock Origi rebounded back into the 18 yard box, where Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen was waiting. He strongly fired the ball past into the Korean net in the 78th minute, and Belgium would not relinquish the 3 points.
Belgium advances to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2002. They will take on the United States Tuesday July 1st at the Arena Fonta Nova in Salvador.
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