Shanghai (AFP) – Brazil’s Alexandre Pato scored one of the goals of the season in a losing cause as Shanghai SIPG beat Tianjin Quanjian 4-1 to go second in the Chinese Super League.
The 28-year-old former AC Milan starlet bent the ball brilliantly round the Shanghai SIPG wall in the 27th minute to draw Tianjin level at 1-1 late on Wednesday.
The ball briefly appeared to be going wide, before arcing inwards at a ferocious pace and into the corner from at least 30 yards out.
Pato has rediscovered his vim since arriving in China 18 months ago after a series of injuries curtailed his career in Europe.
But the forward was ultimately upstaged on Wednesday night by his fellow Brazilian Oscar, who scored a brace for the second match running as SIPG won 4-1.
Two other Brazilians, Hulk and Elkeson, also scored for the hosts as SIPG went second in the CSL behind leaders Shandong Luneng.
Beijing Guoan can get back on top with victory over Chris Coleman’s Hebei China Fortune on Thursday.
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