Just avoid defeat in the final round to clinch the title! Two stunning long-range goals decide the fate as Shanghai Port comes “infinitely close” to a third consecutive Chinese Super League championship.

Written by Zuo Rui. In the penultimate round of the Chinese Super League, Shanghai Port showcased strong dominance and attacking-defensive efficiency at home, beating Zhejiang Greentown 3-0. They continued to lead Shanghai Shenhua by two points—Shenhua’s 1-0 win over Shenzhen New Pengcheng prevented an early title win for their city rivals. With Chengdu Rongcheng losing 1-2 at home to Henan and exiting the title race early, the final round hinges on Shanghai Port avoiding defeat while Shenhua wins to prevent Port’s third consecutive championship.

Unlike Shanghai Port’s Kuai Jiwen and Li Xinxiang who were absent, Zhejiang fielded key players Wang Yudong and Zhang Aihui, both participants in the National Games U20 men’s football tournament. Their head coach, Caneda, was suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, so the assistant coach took charge. Despite deploying their best lineup and switching to a 4-5-1 formation, the visitors failed to secure the expected three points.

In the first half, the home team showed superior strength in both defense and offense. Defensively, they effectively suppressed Mitrits and Owusu on the wings, leaving forward Yago isolated; offensively, Liu Ruofan was the standout. In the 11th minute, Liu Ruofan crossed into the box, and as Zhejiang’s goalkeeper Zhao Bo rushed out, center-back Liu Haofan slid in at the near post to tap the ball into the empty net.

At the 30th minute, the home side nearly extended their lead when Liu Ruofan’s left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area struck the post. Meanwhile, Zhejiang’s central forward passing lanes were largely cut off, with only Li Tixiang managing a through ball behind the defense, but Mitrits failed to control it. This was Zhejiang’s only effective penetration into the opponent’s penalty area in the first half.

In the 49th minute, Melendo delivered a cross from the left to the far post, where right-back and team captain Wang Shenchao volleyed a superbly powerful and fast goal, making it 2-0. After that, the home team’s midfield dominance became more apparent, while the visitors’ passing errors increased. In the 71st minute, Vital scored a direct free kick with speed and precision, the ball hitting the crossbar and going in. With a 3-0 lead, Shanghai Port comfortably secured three points at home.

After this round, Shanghai Port remains top of the Chinese Super League with 63 points, followed closely by Shenhua with 61 points. Rongcheng, with 59 points, failed to hold on until the final round. Notably, Zhejiang Greentown’s record against these three teams is one draw and one loss each, drawing at home and losing away. Especially on September 26 in the 26th round at home in Hangzhou, they were three goals down by the 39th minute but rallied back with three goals to knock Chengdu Rongcheng off the top spot.

That 3-3 goal fest defended Zhejiang’s home honor and inadvertently altered the championship race in the Chinese Super League. Facing Shanghai Port away this time, Zhejiang also trailed by three goals and couldn’t replicate the comeback but gave their all. As Yago reflected after the match, it was a very tough game, but the league isn’t over yet. “We will keep fighting until the last round and aim to finish this season’s campaign with a victory.”

On November 22, in the last round of the Chinese Super League this season, Shanghai Port will face Dalian Yingbo Haifa away, just one step from defending their title. Since they have a better head-to-head record with Shenhua in this year’s two derby matches (one win and one draw), for Shenhua to overtake them in the final round, two conditions must be met simultaneously: Shenhua must beat Tianjin Tigers away, and Port must lose in Dalian. If Shenhua fails to win, Shanghai Port will secure the three-peat even if they lose.

“Our fate is in our own hands, and we hope to lift the trophy again in Dalian,” said substitute Lü Wenjun in the second half, reflecting the team’s mindset. After winning this decisive match against Zhejiang, head coach Muscat expressed pride in the team and gratitude to the fans, stating, “The last game against Dalian is the team’s ultimate destination.”

Interestingly, it was Dalian Yingbo, already safe from relegation, who played with full effort during last week’s 2-2 draw in Shanghai, preventing Shenhua from advancing further in the title race. Returning to their home stadium at Suoyu Bay, which often draws crowds of over 60,000, this newly promoted team surely does not want to miss a spectacular finale on their home turf. For Shanghai Port to cap off their three-peat with a win, they will need to bring their utmost intensity.