World Cup Group H South Korea 0-1 Belgium FT Vertonghen 77 Ten-man Belgium survived a second half onslaught from South Korea before taking advantage of a keeper error to top the group with a narrow 1-0 success, making it three wins out of three.
South Korea needed a win to have any hopes of a place in the last 16 but also needed results elsewhere to go in their favour.
But it was Belgium who started by taking the game to South Korea until the Taeguk Warriors gradually took control. Two chances inside a minute arrived as Ki Sung-yueng forced Thibaut Courtois into a fine save from distance, then a corner caused chaos in the Belgium defence before the ball was hacked clear.
With the interval approaching and Belgium looking comfortable Porto midfielder Steven Defour gave the South Korean's hope when an ugly two footed challenge on Kim Shin-wook saw the referee produce a straight red card.
But South Korea failed to make the most of their one man advantage and become the first Asian country to qualify for the knockout stages on three occasions. Belgium looked the more dangerous and scored the winner thanks to a keeper error with 13 minutes remaining.
Substitute Divock Origi hit a low drive from the edge of the area but South Korea's keeper Kim Seung-gyu fumbled the ball and Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen reacted quickest to sweep the ball into the net.
For Marc Wilmot's side it stretched their unbeaten run to 13 in competitive matches and to three victories in the group stage for the first time ever.
Incredibly, Belgium's last six World Cup goals have now come in the final 20 minutes of matches.
