September 8: Shanghai Port Fire 21 Shots Without Scoring, Beijing Guoan Stay Second After Three Straight Draws as AFC Champions League Race Intensifies

The 26th round of the 2026 Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) concluded in Shanghai at 19:35 on September 5. In the highly anticipated Shanghai Port home match against Beijing Guoan in the Shanghai-Beijing derby, Port launched as many as 21 shots throughout the game but failed to break through the opponent's goal. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, bringing this intense contest to a close.

The draw ended Shanghai Port's previous two-match winning streak, while Beijing Guoan recorded their third consecutive league draw after the match. Although Guoan, having played one more match than some rivals, temporarily sit second in the standings with 38 points, chasing teams are gradually closing the gap, and the once secure-looking second-place position has shown signs of instability.

At the start of the match, hosts Shanghai Port quickly took control of the attacking initiative. In the 19th minute, Port player Cao Yongjing decisively struck a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, narrowly missing the post. It was the first truly threatening attempt on either goal in the match.

In the 26th minute, Port attacked down the left, with Anpemp delivering an accurate cross. Leonardo had an excellent chance to adjust and shoot in front of goal, but Guoan defenders quickly blocked his position and disrupted the dangerous attack. The missed opportunity became a reflection of Port's repeated unsuccessful attacks throughout the game.

In the 35th minute, the intensity of the contest clearly increased. During a defensive play, Guoan player Wang Yu received a yellow card from the referee for a tactical pull on Melendo. The pace of physical battles accelerated, and contact between players increased as the match progressed.

Just two minutes later, in the 37th minute, Leonardo attempted an acrobatic volley after turning inside the penalty area, but the attempt was rushed and he failed to fully open his body, missing another valuable scoring chance.

Near the end of the first half, in the 41st minute, Guoan won a corner kick. Cao Yongjing met the ball with a header at the near post, but Port goalkeeper Yan Junling reacted quickly and held the shot securely. The crucial save kept Port's goal intact in the first half and preserved their hopes.

After the restart, Port's attacking pressure did not decrease, and their high-intensity rhythm continued. In the 47th minute, Liu Zhurun crossed from the right, and Anpemp cut inside from the left side of the box before shooting, but the ball was blocked out for a corner. A minute later, Vital sent a disguised pass, allowing Leonardo to curl toward the far corner, but the shot went narrowly wide. Port created two dangerous chances in quick succession but could not convert either.

In the 58th minute, Anpemp set up the ball inside the penalty area, giving Liu Zhurun a chance to shoot from a tight angle, but Guoan goalkeeper Hou Sen collected it directly. Hou Sen was outstanding throughout the match, staying highly focused and repeatedly denying Port's shots, especially at the near post.

In the 62nd minute, Leonardo went down after physical contact with Guoan player Wang Gang inside the penalty area, but the referee made no call. The decision also drew dissatisfaction from Shanghai Port coach Wu Lei on the sideline, who showed disappointment on the bench.

In the 69th minute, Leonardo broke away from his marker on the right and delivered a cutback pass. Li Shuai followed up with a shot, but it was too close to Hou Sen, who comfortably controlled the ball. Another close scoring opportunity for Port was denied by the Guoan goalkeeper.

As the match entered its final stage, Port brought on substitute Wu Lei to further strengthen their attack. In the 77th minute, Yue Xin sent in a cross from a 45-degree angle, and Wu Lei forced a sweeping shot inside the box, but Hou Sen again dived to push the ball out for a corner.

In the 79th minute, Anpemp unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, and Hou Sen tipped the ball over the crossbar with one hand. The save nearly pushed the goalkeeper's reaction ability to its limit.

In the 83rd minute, Port sent another cross from the right. Unmarked, Li Xinxiang had a valuable heading opportunity, but the angle was again too close to Hou Sen, who caught the ball. Port's closest chance to score in the match ended in disappointment.

In the final moments of the match, in the 89th minute, Wu Lei took a free kick, and the ball deflected slightly wide of the post. The final score remained 0-0.

After the match, Beijing Guoan had failed to collect three points in three consecutive league matches. Their previous 12-match unbeaten run in the CSL was also disrupted as the pace of their points accumulation slowed significantly due to the three draws.

Looking at Guoan's schedule since the beginning of the season, the team's lack of squad depth has gradually become apparent after a congested period of multi-front competition. Several key players had previously suffered fractures, and the team even had to call up six U20 players to support the first team, leaving limited room for rotation.

Meanwhile, player Davan was suspended for seven matches after an incident and was ruled out for the rest of the season, further affecting the smooth operation of Guoan's midfield. The consecutive draws were not accidental.

Shanghai Port started the season after being deducted five points and losing key player Wu Lei for an extended period due to injury, at one point falling into the relegation zone. However, after a period of recovery and strong pursuit, the team's form improved significantly. Their 21 shots in this match demonstrated their clear advantage in performance, but their weakness in finishing chances was exposed again, ending their two-match winning streak.

After the 0-0 draw, Beijing Guoan remain second in the league with 38 points, but the gap with the teams chasing them has narrowed further. Their previously secure-looking second-place position is no longer guaranteed.

More importantly, the AFC Champions League Elite schedule is approaching. On September 15, Guoan will host Pohang Steelers in their first AFC Champions League match, followed by games against strong opponents such as Buriram United and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The pressure of competing on multiple fronts will undoubtedly further divide the team's focus in the league.

Beijing Guoan have reached the FA Cup semifinals, where their opponent happens to be Shanghai Port, with the match to be played at Workers' Stadium. The team's upcoming schedule leaves little room for adjustment, and balancing the league, FA Cup and AFC Champions League makes it difficult for them to give everything in every league match as they did earlier in the season.

Failing to win three consecutive league matches is partly due to strong resistance from opponents, but it also reflects that the team has begun strategic preparations for upcoming multi-front competition. With limited squad depth, preserving strength in some league matches and saving key players' energy for more important cup and AFC Champions League games has become a cautious choice Guoan must make at this stage.

With five CSL rounds remaining, the teams chasing Beijing Guoan could overtake them in second place at any time. To keep this valuable position, Guoan must collect as many points as possible in upcoming league matches while also delivering a convincing performance in their AFC Champions League Elite debut.

The AFC Champions League match on September 15 and the following FA Cup semifinal will directly determine Beijing Guoan's final direction this season. This 0-0 Shanghai-Beijing derby draw is only the beginning of the congested schedule they are about to face.