Belgium have booked their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup following a late strike from Divock Origi against Russia.

As it stands, Belgium sit top of Group H on six points, while Russia sit third on one point. South Korea and Algeria, meanwhile, who clash later this evening, have one point and zero points respectively having played a game less.

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Belgium made most of the early running, but the best chance of the early stages fell to Russia, with Viktor Fayzulin bringing a smart save from Thibaut Courtois after 12 minutes.

Dries Mertens was down the other end moments later following a bright run from Kevin de Bruyne, but the Napoli attacker's cross was cut out as the score remained level following a fairly disappointing opening 15 minutes of action.

Mertens again came close five minutes later, but he whistled a low effort wide of the post following some slack Russia defending.

Mertens continued to look the most likely as the half advanced, but Belgian goalkeeper Courtois was once more forced into a smart save after 31 minutes following a powerful strike from Maksim Kanunnikov.

The best opportunity of the half fell to Aleksandr Kokorin after 44 minutes, but the Russian forward somehow clipped his header wide of the post following a terrific cross from Denis Glushakov.

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Both sides struggled to find their top form in the early stages of the second period, with the final pass too often astray.

Belgium wanted a penalty just before the hour mark when Eden Hazard fed Origi inside the box before the striker tumbled, but the referee was not interested as both teams continued to struggle for bright attacking moments.

Sergei Ignashevich had a half-chance for Russia after 72 minutes, but the Russian could only lift a header over the crossbar from inside the box.

Glushakov came close for Russia in their next attack, but his effort was high and wide of the crossbar.

Andrey Yeshchenko had the best chance of the second period for Russia after breaking into the Belgian box, but his effort flashed wide of Courtois's post as the match remained goalless.

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Kevin Mirallas then came close for Belgium after 83 minutes, but his free kick rattled the post as the tempo increased.

Belgium finally found a winner two minutes from time when Origi collected a pass from Hazard before finishing into the top of the net.

Written by
Matt Law