On July 20, the 17th round of the 2025 Chinese Super League (CSL) concluded, and it was filled with exciting action. Among the most anticipated matchups was the top-of-the-table clash, which certainly lived up to expectations.
Top-of-the-Table Clash: Shanghai Shenhua Overcomes Beijing Guoan to Take the Lead
The highlight of this round was the intense battle for the top spot, as Shanghai Shenhua traveled to face Beijing Guoan. Both teams entered the match level on 38 points, with Guoan holding the top position due to a superior goal difference. The game kicked off in front of a packed crowd of 62,291 spectators at the Workers' Stadium, setting a new attendance record for this season’s CSL.
Shenhua showed their intent early on, with foreign striker Asue playing a key role. In the 7th minute, he met a left-wing cross from Gao Tianyi, scoring with a header to give Shenhua the lead. Shenhua continued to press, and in the 20th minute, a long pass from Manafaz was latched onto by Wu Xi, who made a clinical finish to double their lead. Guoan responded in the 26th minute when Guga’s free-kick beat Shenhua’s keeper, bringing the score to 2-1.
The second half saw a more cagey affair, with both sides locked in a battle of attrition. Shenhua made tactical changes after Asue’s injury, bringing on Liu Chengyu and Yu Hanchao to strengthen their attack. In the dying moments of the match, Yu Hanchao latched onto a brilliant pass from Wu Xi to score, sealing the 3-1 win. This victory ended Shenhua’s 12-game losing streak at the Workers' Stadium and also handed Guoan their first loss of the season, allowing Shenhua to reclaim the top spot in the standings.
From a tactical standpoint, Shenhua’s head coach, Slutsky, implemented an effective defensive counter-attacking strategy. The team exploited Asue’s physicality and speed to break down Guoan’s defense, and they held firm defensively in the second half. On the other hand, Guoan’s head coach, Setién, was slow to make substitutions after falling behind, only making four changes in the 75th minute, which came too late to turn the game around. While Guoan pressed hard, their tactical preparations seemed insufficient in the face of Shenhua’s well-executed game plan.
Tianjin Jinmen Tigers Defeat Chengdu Rongcheng Again, Drop in Rankings for Rongcheng
In another crucial match, Tianjin Jinmen Tigers hosted Chengdu Rongcheng. The Tigers have been in excellent form this season, while Chengdu was considered a strong contender for the title. The match took place in front of a packed Tianjin Olympic Sports Center, with all tickets sold out before the match.
The first half saw both teams exchange attacks but neither could find the back of the net. However, in the 53rd minute, Chengdu goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo made a mistake with his clearance, allowing Wang Qiuming to steal the ball and slot it past him to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, a foul by Chengdu’s Zhou Dingyang in the penalty area resulted in a VAR review and a penalty for Jinmen Tigers. Adeimi stepped up to convert the spot-kick, doubling their advantage to 2-0. Chengdu managed to pull one back in the 86th minute through a penalty by Wei Shihao, but it wasn’t enough, and they were beaten 2-1, suffering a season double defeat to the Tigers. Following this loss, Chengdu dropped to fourth in the standings.
Jinmen Tigers executed their game plan effectively. Defensively, they were solid and neutralized most of Chengdu’s attacks. Offensively, they capitalized on Chengdu’s goalkeeper error to take the lead and secured the win with a penalty. Chengdu, on the other hand, struggled with key mistakes, particularly Liu’s blunder, and failed to create enough meaningful attacking chances. Additionally, Wei Shihao’s red card made matters worse for Chengdu, who are already dealing with internal conflicts between the coach and club. With Shanghai Shenhua's win, Chengdu's hopes for a championship this season now seem slim.
Shanghai Port Climbs to Third, Continuing their Strong Run
Shanghai Port continued their excellent form, securing a 3-1 win over Changchun Yatai on the road, which saw them rise to third place in the standings. The team spread their goals across multiple players, showcasing their attacking depth. Following this victory, Port surpassed Chengdu Rongcheng and climbed into the third spot, just one point behind Guoan and 34 points off the leaders, Shenhua. Port is now back in contention for the title.
In other matches, Wuhan Three Towns drew 1-1 with Qingdao West Coast at home, Zhejiang defeated Yunnan Yukun 3-1, and Dalian Yifang secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Shandong Taishan. Dalian’s strong performance this season has been encouraging, and they continue to impress.
In the relegation battle, Shenzhen New Pingcheng thrashed Qingdao Hainiu 4-0, and their chances of staying in the top flight look strong as long as they continue to perform against weaker teams. Henan Jianye drew 1-1 with Meizhou Hakka, with Henan playing the second half with 10 men after Huang Ruifeng was sent off in first-half injury time. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Henan initially took the lead through Achim Pong, but Meizhou Hakka’s Morris equalized in stoppage time, leaving both teams to share the points.
Impact on the Standings
After this round, the standings saw significant changes. Shanghai Shenhua’s crucial win put them back on top, while Guoan slipped to second. Shanghai Port’s rise to third, just one point behind Guoan, places them firmly in the title race. Chengdu Rongcheng, due to their loss, dropped down the table and now faces a tough challenge in securing a championship this season.
In the relegation zone, Meizhou Hakka’s draw keeps them stagnant, but their position is still relatively safe due to the poor performances of teams like Qingdao Hainiu and Changchun Yatai. These teams are at serious risk of relegation if their form doesn’t improve.
This round has not only changed the title race but also brought new challenges for clubs at the bottom of the table. It promises to be a thrilling remainder of the season.
