Belgium has all but confirmed its place in the semifinals of the European Under 21 Championship with a 1-0 victory over Israel at the Abe Lenstra stadium on Wednesday.

Kevin Mirallas scored for the Belgians in the 82nd minute after his team was reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card for Marouane Fellaini in the 18th minute. Coach Jean-François De Sart persisted with the same line-up that had impressed during Belgium's 0-0 draw against Portugal on Sunday.

Israel coach Guy Levy ringed up four changes from the side that went down 1-0 to Netherlands, knowing that a defeat will eliminate them from the tournament. Levy opted from an attacking line up, bringing in Idan Srur to play behind the forward line of Shlomi Arbeitman, Ben Sahar and Barak Itzhaki.

However Israel was on the back foot for most of the game, with Belgium creating a couple of close chances. Mirallas had an early chance to score in the 8th minute, but his shot from outside the area was save superbly by keeper Tom Al Madon. Sébastien Pocognoli had a great chance to put his team in the lead, but was unable to make good contact on the ball.

Fellaini, who earlier given an yellow for fouling Sahar, was shown his second yellow card of the game when Eliran Danin went down in the 18th minute. Israel tried to take some advantage of its numerical superiority. Srur's free kick following Fellaini's dismissal was saved in style by keeper Logan Bailly while Sahar was denied a shot on target by a sliding Pocognoli.

Israel were starting to look dangerous upfront and Sahr nearly scored following a delightful one-two with Srur. However though his shot was on target, it was blocked away by Nicolas Lombaerts. Israel should have scored in the second half, when Sahar squared the ball to Albeitman with keeper Bailly hopelessly out of position. But a brave Thomas Vermaelen block meant that Albeitman was unable to convert the chance.

Belgium slowly started to settle into a rhythm, creating chances inspite of being a man down. Blondel's effort hit the side netting while Mirallas nearly scored in the 80th minute when his shot curled away to hit the post. But the Lille striker was not to be denied two minutes later, when he latched on to a brilliant diagonal through pass from Vanden Borre to score past Al Madon.

The loss eliminates Israel from the competition, having lost both its matches. Belgium have one step on the semifinal spot and just need to draw their remaining match against Netherlands, following third-placed Portugal's defeat at the hands of the Dutch.