CSL Title Race is Shaping Up to be a Dramatic Showdown

The Chinese Super League (CSL) title race has been one of the most exciting stories in world football, defined by dramatic events and unexpected twists. Let’s break it down:

For people unfamiliar with the league formatting, the CSL kicks off in late February, with teams playing 30 rounds through to November. Clubs must endure the grueling summer heat, with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees. As the season progresses, top teams face the additional challenge of playing in the AFC Champions League, which brings heavy traveling and mounting fatigue. This schedule often gives rise to unpredictable narratives and remarkable shifts in form.

To grasp the whole story, we have to rewind back to August of this year.

Beijing Guoan

Beijing Guoan were leading the table, looking to regain their honor as one of China’s most prestigious clubs. After suffering back-to-back losses against Chengdu and Shanghai Shenhua in July, the team has made remarkable adjustments, going unbeaten throughout August and scoring 11 goals in the last two games without conceding a single one.

Everything led to the final game on the 31^st against a struggling, aging Shandong Taishan side. The stage was set, and many Guoan fans thought this was finally their year, the long-awaited return to glory after 16 years. In a miraculous turn of events, Taishan obliterated Guoan in a 6-0 decimation. Georgian forward Valeri Qazaishvili saw the back of the net four times, continuing an incredible run of form, scoring 11 goals in the past 6 games (this eventually extended to 14 goals in 7 appearances). After that humiliating loss, Guoan sacked their manager in desperation, but all was too late, and the club only collected four points in their next five league matches, crashing out of the title race.

Taishan players after the 6-0 win

The Current Contenders

Now let’s cover the current top three contenders, Shanghai Shenhua, Shanghai Port, and Chengdu Rongcheng.

Chengdu is the newly established powerhouse in the CSL. After being promoted from the second division in 2021, they have finished in the top 5 for the past 3 seasons, edging closer to their first championship. Shanghai Shenhua, one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in China, is seeking revenge from their fierce city rivals Shanghai Port, the two-time reigning champions who snubbed their title last year by a one-point difference. Under Kevin Muscat, Shanghai Port look to complete the CSL treble this year and further establish themselves in Chinese Football.

Weekday 23 Chengdu Take the Lead: Chengdu Rongcheng stun Shanghai Port with a dominant 4–1 victory at home, climbing to the top of the table.

Weekday 25 Battle of the Giants: Chengdu holds first place with 53 points, followed closely by Shanghai Port on 51 and Shanghai Shenhua on 50.

Port edge Beijing Guoan 3-2 in a tense home fixture, bringing their tally to 54 points. Meanwhile, Shenhua and Chengdu face off in a crucial showdown. Shenhua led for most of the match, but in the dying moments, captain Tim Chow salvaged a dramatic equalizer in the 10th minute of stoppage time after a finish from a deflected shot coming off the post. Chengdu remains top on 54 points (ahead on goal difference), while Shenhua slips to 51.

Chengdu 1-1 Shenhua

Weekday 26 Chaos Unfolds

Shenhua thrash Meizhou 6-1, pulling level at 54 points with both Chengdu and Port.

Chengdu and Shanghai Port kick off simultaneously in separate fixtures. Chengdu raced to a 3-0 lead by the 40th minute, with goals from Romulo and Tim Chow, before Zhejiang pulled one back just before halftime. At the same time, Port holds a narrow 1-0 advantage over a Wuhan team in danger of relegation.

The second half unfolds in chaos. Zhejiang struck again immediately after the break, cutting the deficit to 2–3. Over in Shanghai, Port collapsed and conceded twice in just four minutes, the 77th and 80th, to fall 1-2 behind.

Then comes the moment of magic. Leonardo levels the score for Port in the 85th minute, and in the 97th minute of stoppage time, he cuts inside on his left and curls the ball into the bottom corner, sealing a miraculous 3-2 comeback.

Leonardo of Shanghai Port

All eyes turn to Chengdu. Could the unthinkable happen?

In the 100th minute, Yago Cariello of Zhejiang surges into the box and fires a low shot into the near corner — the ball nestles into the back of the net. A stunning equalizer. Chengdu, who once led the same game 3-0, is forced to settle for a draw.

Shanghai Port surged to the top of the table with 57 points, while Chengdu fell to second on 55.

Shanghai Port's Incredible Comeback

Weekday 27: Where we are at now

All three teams take care of business, each securing victories. The current final standings are:

• 1st: Shanghai Port – 60 points

• 2nd: Chengdu Rongcheng – 58 points

• 3rd: Shanghai Shenhua – 57 points

Shanghai Port currently leads the pack, but with two difficult fixtures in Taishan Away and Zhejiang at home, there remains uncertainty. Will Muscat’s team be able to maintain their lead with only three games remaining? Or will Chengdu or even Shenhua be able to strike back and snatch glory?