France had dominated the last-16 clash but their profligate finishing looked set to force extra time until they finally found a way through with five minutes left.
Substitute Randal Kolo Muani collected the ball inside the Belgian penalty area and hit a shot that was going wide until a deflection off the unfortunate Vertonghen took it past goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
The lucky break sent the 2022 World Cup runners-up into a last-eight tie in Hamburg on Friday as they remain on course to become European champions for the third time.
"We are so proud to once again be in the quarterfinals. We are expected to get there but we must appreciate it and not think that is something that is just normal," said France coach Didier Deschamps.
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Denne historien er fra July 02, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
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Kriel's Springbok dream is still alive
Bulls utility back David Kriel's dream of playing for the Springboks is still alive and kicking as he targets another strong season for his franchise in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup.
Proteas wrap up ODI series in style
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Broos is at ease with PSL stance
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Bayern visit bogey side Frankfurt
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Valjalo on home turf to defend title
The date has been set for South Africa's premier Skateboarding contest where the country's best skaters will battle it out to see who will be crowned event champions.
Muzi ready for Kranji challenge
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Stories from the dot-com era
Some compare the high prices of today’s tech giants to the pricing in the stock market back then.
'We don't want to die'
Over 1000 people killed and hundreds of thousands more flee their homes.
Heart of nation at stake
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Kim ‘ready to nuke all'
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country would use nuclear weapons \"without hesitation\" if attacked by the South and ally the United States, state media reported yesterday.
