BELGIUM advanced to the round-of-16 at the World Cup after substitute Divock Origi struck a late winner to secure a 1-0 win over Russia in a largely drab Group ‘H’ affair at the Maracana Stadium here on Sunday.

The match was threatening to end as a 0-0 stalemate but Belgium somehow found a way in the 88th minute to unlock the Russian defence which had frustrated them for long periods.

Eden Hazard jinked past two defenders and found his way to the by-line before his cutback was smashed into the roof of the net by the 19-year-old striker, who had come on for Romelu Lukaku in the 57th.

With two wins from their opening two games, Belgium assured themselves of a spot in the knockout stages regardless of whatever happens in the final round of the group games on Friday.

It was almost a tactical masterclass by Fabio Capello as Russia kept Belgium’s star attackers at bay for great lengths of the game.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots started with Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens after they had come on to score the goals which gave them a 2-1 win against Algeria in their opening match.

They both came in for Moussa Dembele and Nacer Chedli, the players who they had replaced in the game.

Captain Vincent Kompany was a doubt after having suffered a groin strain in the previous match but was passed fit to play.

Goalkeeper Igor Aknifeev started in goal for Russia despite his blunder gifting South Korea the lead in their 1-1 draw in the first match.

Capello made two changes to his squad with Aleksei Kozlov replacing Andrey Yeschenko at full-back, while the experienced Yuri Zhirkov was dropped in favour of Maksim Kanunnikov.

Security had been tightened around the Maracana in wake of the incident during the last game at the venue where almost a 100 Chilean fans barged into the media centre during their side’s Group ‘B’ match against Spain on Wednesday.

Belgium bossed possession in the opening 10 minutes but it was Russia who had the first shot on target.

Victor Fayzulin created space for himself and his low shot was parried away by Thiubaut Courtois, diving away to his right in the 12th minute.

The next ten minutes belonged to Belgium and Mertens. The Napoli striker was picked out on the right after a surging run towards the box by Kevin De Bruyne but Mertens saw his low cross blocked.

Russia were content to give Belgium the possession and attack on the counter, and Mertens had two chances in two minutes.

He shot just wide after a superb solo run in the 19th before blasting the ball over the top from an acute angle.

But rather than Akinfeev being tested, it was Courtois who was again called into action.

Kanunnikov came down from the left before trying his luck from distance which as smartly turned away by Courtois.

Akinfeev was tested for the first time five minutes later. De Bruyne found Mertens on the right and he shot across the face of goal.

The best chance of the first-half, however, fell to Russia in the 44th. Denis Glushakov whipped in a delightful ball from the left to present Alexander Kokorin with a free header but the Dynamo Moscow striker somehow missed the target.

The second-half started the same way as the first with Belgium enjoying plenty of possession but failing to make anything out of it.

Wilmots’ side had looked to exploit Russia’s lack of pace but it seemed Belgium’s pace had been lost in the heat of the Maracana.

Chelsea star Hazard didn’t create much and Lukaku was hardly noticed before he was substituted.

Belgium were booed by their own fans as Russia enjoyed more of the possession later on.

Wilmots brought on Everton striker Kevin Mirallas to liven up things. But Russia didn’t wilt and Andrey Eschenko flashed narrowly wide with ten minutes to go.

With six minutes to go, Glushakov was penalised for handball near the edge of the penalty box and Mertens hit the bottom of the post from the resulting free-kick.

Russia had almost secured a point but Hazard laid off a superb ball for Origi to leave them relying on other results to qualify for the knockout stages.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd , 2014