Guangxi Hengchen 2-2 Changchun Yatai — Chinese Football League 1, 17 October 2026

Guangxi Hengchen produced a stirring second-half comeback to draw 2-2 with Changchun Yatai at the Guigang Sports Center, denying the visitors a valuable away win in the Chinese Football League 1 promotion race. Changchun looked in control after scoring twice before half-time, but Guangxi responded with two goals after the break and nearly won it in stoppage time. The draw feels like two points dropped for Changchun and a point gained for a Guangxi side still fighting to establish itself in the division.

Match overview

Changchun Yatai started the brighter of the two teams, pressing aggressively and forcing Guangxi into early mistakes. The opener arrived in the 18th minute after a low cross from the right was converted at the near post. Guangxi struggled to settle, and Changchun doubled their lead in the 34th minute with a classic counter-attack: a quick break through midfield, a pass into the channel, and a composed finish past the goalkeeper.

At 2-0, the game looked to be slipping away from the hosts. But Guangxi changed their approach after half-time, pushing their wing-backs higher and committing more bodies forward. The pressure told in the 57th minute when a corner was headed home. From there, the momentum shifted completely. Guangxi pushed for an equaliser and got it in the 86th minute through substitute Liu Haifeng, whose low drive from the edge of the box found the bottom corner.

Key moments

• 18 minutes: Changchun Yatai take the lead with a close-range finish after a cross from the right.
• 34 minutes: Yatai double their advantage on the counter, finishing calmly one-on-one.
• 57 minutes: Guangxi Hengchen pull one back through a powerful header from a corner.
• 72 minutes: Yatai goalkeeper makes a sharp save to deny a curling effort from outside the box.
• 86 minutes: Liu Haifeng equalises with a low strike from the edge of the area.
• 90+4 minutes: Yatai waste a late free-kick in a dangerous position, and the match ends level.

Tactical story

Changchun Yatai’s 4-3-3 worked well in the first half. Their midfield pressed in a narrow block, cutting off central passing lanes and forcing Guangxi to play long. The front three were quick to close down, and the two goals came from exactly that kind of pressure. However, Yatai sat deeper after taking a two-goal lead, and that invited Guangxi forward.

Guangxi’s manager responded at half-time by switching to a more aggressive 3-4-3 shape, with the wing-backs pushed high and the midfield instructed to press higher. The change gave Guangxi more width and more crosses into the box. Yatai’s defence, which had been comfortable in the first half, suddenly looked uncertain under sustained pressure. The equaliser was deserved on the balance of second-half play, even if Yatai will feel they should have managed the game better.

Standout performers

Guangxi substitute Liu Haifeng changed the game, adding energy in midfield and scoring the equaliser. Brazilian midfielder Fernando was also influential, repeatedly finding space between Yatai’s lines and linking play. For Changchun, striker Zhang Wen scored one and was a constant threat on the break, while captain Li Shenglong controlled the tempo early on. Yatai’s goalkeeper made two important saves but could not keep out the late equaliser.

Table and season impact

Changchun Yatai remain in the promotion picture, but dropping two points from a 2-0 lead will hurt. In a tight Chinese League 1 table, such moments can decide automatic promotion or play-off seeding. Guangxi Hengchen, meanwhile, will take confidence from the fightback. The point keeps them above the relegation places and shows they can compete with one of the stronger squads in the division.

The result leaves both teams with mixed emotions: Yatai frustrated by their second-half collapse, Guangxi encouraged by their resilience. With the season entering its final stretch, both will know that fine margins are likely to decide their fate.