WUHAN, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Port defeated Guangzhou FC 1-0, while newly-crowned champions Shandong Taishan drew 1-1 with Changchun Yatai in the final round of matches in the 2021 Chinese Super League (CSL) on Tuesday.

In the 28th minute, Shanghai's Liu Zhurun latched onto Lyu Wenjun's pass to take the lead, though Liu's joy was tempered as he went off injured in the second half.

Guangzhou thought they had an opportunity to equalize with an injury-time penalty, but Zhang Linpeng missed his spot-kick.

Newly-crowned champions Shandong Taishan drew 1-1 with Changchun Yatai, with Pedro Delgado and Li Guangwen on the scoresheet for their respective sides. Shandong had been crowned champions in the previous round, ending an 11-year CSL title drought.

"Over the past year, we have been under tremendous pressure, but we achieved good results in the end," said Shandong head coach Hao Wei after the game.

In Tuesday's other games, Beijing Guoan defeated Shenzhen 1-0, while Guangzhou City cruised past Hebei City 2-1.

With their victory, Shanghai overtook Guangzhou FC to finish the CSL season in second place. Shanghai and Shandong therefore qualify directly for the group stage of next season's AFC Champions League, while third-placed Guangzhou FC will enter a playoff to make it to the tournament proper.

In the relegation zone, Tianjin Tigers, Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic and Wuhan all avoided the drop. However, Dalian Pro and Qingdao will have to enter a playoff with second-tier Chengdu Rongcheng and Zhejiang to keep their place in the top flight. Enditem

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