In a thrilling display of football, the Chinese men’s national team secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Singapore in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier held in Tianjin, north China, on Tuesday. The win comes after a 2-2 draw in their previous encounter last week, marking a significant boost in China’s quest for World Cup qualification.
China’s star striker Wu Lei opened the scoring in the 21st minute, showcasing his exceptional skill and earning his place as the nation’s top goal-scorer. Singapore’s Faris Ramli responded swiftly just a minute later, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to level the score. The first half remained intensely competitive, with both teams missing key opportunities to take the lead.
The deadlock persisted until the 65th minute when Fei Nanduo converted a penalty, securing his first international goal after Gao Zhunyi was fouled in the penalty area. Despite receiving a yellow card in the 68th minute—which will see him miss the next critical match against Thailand due to accumulation—Wu Lei remained undeterred.
China faced a setback in the 80th minute when midfielder Li Yuanyi received a red card for a dangerous tackle, leaving the team with ten men. Nevertheless, Wu Lei demonstrated extraordinary resilience, dribbling from the center circle and unleashing a powerful shot into the far corner in the 85th minute, extending China’s lead to 3-1.
In the final moments of the match, Wu Lei assisted Wei Shihao, who scored in the 90th minute to seal the 4-1 victory. The match was witnessed by a full stadium of 42,977 spectators, reflecting the nation’s passionate support for the team.
The victory propels China to second place in Group C with seven points, three points behind group leaders South Korea, who defeated Thailand 3-0 in Bangkok. Thailand now trails China by three points. The top two teams from the group will advance to the next round, making China’s upcoming matches against Thailand and South Korea in June crucial.
Chinese head coach Branko Ivankovic made strategic changes for the match, with Gao Zhunyi and Wang Dalei replacing captain Zhang Linpeng and goalkeeper Yan Junling. Singapore adjusted their lineup as well, changing five starters due to injuries and suspensions.
Despite challenges, including playing with one man down, China’s determination and Wu Lei’s outstanding performance were key to securing this essential win. The team aims to maintain their momentum as they prepare for the decisive matches ahead.
