Yokohama F. Marinos took a decisive step toward the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals with a tense 1-0 first-leg victory over Shanghai Port on Tuesday, as Anderson Lopes\u2019 clinical 30th-minute strike secured a narrow advantage for the Japanese side. The Chinese Super League champions fought valiantly, with goalkeeper Yan Junling making pivotal saves to keep their continental hopes alive heading into the second leg.
The match ignited when Lopes exploited defensive gaps on Shanghai\u2019s left flank, capitalizing on swift interplay to fire past Yan. The Brazilian forward nearly doubled his tally twice before halftime, but Yan\u2019s reflexes denied him a rapid brace. Shanghai\u2019s attack struggled until substitute Li Shuai rattled the crossbar in the 69th minute, while Elber\u2019s late header grazed the post in a heart-stopping finale. The result leaves both teams with everything to play for next week.
Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia\u2019s Al Ahli seized command of their knockout tie with a dominant 3-1 home win over Qatar\u2019s Al Rayyan. Goals from Galeno, Riyad Mahrez, and Firas Al Brikan underscored their attacking prowess, leaving the Saudis poised to advance ahead of the return leg in Jeddah.
