Shanghai, May 10, 2024, The Europe Today: Wu Lei and Gustavo showcased their scoring prowess with a brace each as Shanghai Port sailed to a commanding 5-2 triumph over Changchun Yatai in the 11th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) on Friday.
Despite an early chance to complete a hat-trick, Wu Lei’s penalty in the 17th minute was disallowed following a VAR review due to an offside infringement. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old striker remains atop the league’s scoring chart with an impressive tally of 12 goals this season. Gustavo kickstarted the scoring frenzy with a goal in the 10th minute, swiftly followed by Wu’s clinical finish to double the lead.
Sun Guoliang momentarily narrowed the deficit for the visitors with a powerful strike, but Matias Vargas extinguished any hopes of a comeback with a goal in the dying moments of the first half, propelling Shanghai Port to a comfortable 3-1 advantage.
Changchun Yatai showed resilience as Robert Beric found the back of the net in the 58th minute, capitalizing on Wu’s half-volley. However, Gustavo’s header in the 72nd minute effectively sealed the deal for Shanghai Port, securing a resounding victory.
With this impressive win, Shanghai Port ascends to second place in the CSL standings with 24 points, trailing city rivals Shanghai Shenhua by a mere two points. Chengdu Rongcheng, following their 4-2 triumph over Henan FC on the same day, closely trails in third position.
Elsewhere in the league, Wang Jianming’s brace proved pivotal as Qingdao Hainiu salvaged a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Nantong Zhiyun, highlighting the competitive nature of CSL fixtures.
Shanghai Port’s dominant performance underscores their title aspirations and sets the stage for an enthralling battle at the summit of the Chinese Super League. As the season progresses, football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate more captivating encounters and stellar performances from the league’s top contenders.
