In a high-stakes showdown on Saturday night, two traditional Chinese Super League (CSL) giants, Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua, battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw in Shanghai Municipality. Despite their ten-year unbeaten streak at Shenhua’s home ground, the visitors managed to hold their ground in a match packed with excitement and dramatic twists.
Beijing Guoan struck first in the early stages of the game. In the 11th minute, Guga delivered a free kick pass from the left, which was deflected by Shenhua’s goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong. The ball fell to Dawhan, who expertly sent it into the box for Lin Liangming to head home, giving Guoan a 1-0 lead.
Shanghai Shenhua responded fiercely, equalizing in the 38th minute. Ibrahim Amadou passed to Wu Xi, who broke into the left area and took a shot that was initially blocked by goalie Han Jiaqi. In the ensuing chaos, Wu Xi regained possession and successfully netted the equalizer.
The first half took a controversial turn during stoppage time when Guoan's Han shoved Jiang Shenglong in a struggle for a corner kick. The referee issued a yellow card to Shenhua’s goalkeeper and awarded them a penalty, which Andre Luis confidently converted, putting Shenhua ahead 2-1.
The intensity continued in the second half as Beijing Guoan faced further setbacks. Substitute Zhang Yuan made a hard tackle on Joao Teixeira in the 81st minute. Initially shown a red card, the decision was later downgraded to a yellow card after a VAR review. Nonetheless, Zhang was ejected for receiving a second yellow card.
In the dying moments of the match, Shenhua's Bao Yaxiong inadvertently ensured a draw. In the 93rd minute, Li Lei’s cross from the left found Fabio Abreu, whose powerful header struck the bar before bouncing off Bao’s right arm and into the net, salvaging a point for the visitors.
The match concluded with both teams sharing the spoils, keeping Beijing Guoan’s impressive unbeaten record at Shenhua’s home intact. Fans were treated to a captivating game that showcased resilience, skill, and the unpredictable nature of football.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
