Zigong beats Nanchong 4-2 to stay unbeaten at home in Sichuan league

Zigong Lantern City Shenlong Team staged a dramatic 4-2 victory over Nanchong Silk Source Point on Friday evening, extending their unbeaten home record in the 2025/2026 Sichuan City Football League (Chuan Chao) finals stage.

The seventh-round clash at Zigong Nanhu Sports Center on April 25 came with both teams level on six points. After an intense contest featuring six goals and several dramatic moments, the hosts earned a valuable victory to move up the table.

Since the finals stage began, Zigong's home matches have paired football with cultural performances inspired by visiting cities. For Friday's game, organizers drew on Nanchong's identity as the "origin of silk," staging a pre-match show that blended the city's silk traditions with Zigong's tie-dye heritage.

Backed by home support, Zigong took the initiative early. In the 17th minute, a forward calmly slotted a low shot into the bottom-right corner to make it 1-0.

Nanchong equalized in the 28th minute when their leading scorer reacted quickest to fire home and level at 1-1.

Zigong regained the lead shortly after the restart. A long ball from midfield caused chaos in the Nanchong penalty area, and the visiting goalkeeper mishandled the ball over the line to make it 2-1.

The visitors answered almost immediately. In the 55th minute, Nanchong delivered a precise cross from the wing, and a teammate finished clinically with a first-time strike into the corner to make it 2-2.

The decisive moments came late. Zigong restored their lead in the 84th minute with a superb free kick that curled into the top corner. Deep into stoppage time, a Zigong player won possession in midfield, dribbled past four defenders and calmly finished to seal a 4-2 victory.

The win lifts Zigong Lantern City Shenlong to nine points and moves the team atop the standings, while Nanchong Silk Source Point remain on six points.

The two sides will meet again in Nanchong on June 20.