Chengdu Rongcheng struck early with a lightning-fast opener to take a 2–0 lead. The so-called “CSL Mbappé” stayed red-hot, scoring his fourth goal in as many matches. Meanwhile, Zheng Zhi looked visibly concerned on the sidelines as the pressure mounted.

On April 3, 2026 (Beijing time), Chengdu Rongcheng hosted Qingdao West Coast in Round 4 of the Chinese Super League, taking firm control with a 2–0 lead by halftime.

The breakthrough came as early as the 7th minute, when Wellington Silva capitalized on a defensive error to give Chengdu the lead. Despite Qingdao’s efforts to respond—most notably Aziz’s header hitting the post in the 21st minute—they were unable to find an equalizer.

Chengdu extended their advantage in the 40th minute, as Romulo’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper, only for Sorokin to convert the rebound and make it 2–0.

Under the management of Zheng Zhi, Qingdao struggled to maintain defensive discipline and attacking efficiency. Their cautious 5-4-1 setup failed to contain Chengdu’s aggressive 4-3-3 system, leaving them under sustained pressure.

Historically, Chengdu have held the upper hand in this fixture, remaining unbeaten in five meetings (2 wins, 3 draws), including a 3–1 victory in a recent friendly.

Beyond the scoreline, the real storyline lies with Zheng Zhi—a former icon of Chinese football—now facing mounting questions in his managerial role. Can he turn things around, or is this slump becoming a deeper concern?