AFC Champions League: Lekhwiya 1 Guangzhou Evergrande 4 (1-6 agg)

Guangzhou Evergrande secured their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League with a 4-1 win at Lekhwiya on Wednesday.

Marcello Lippi’s men – who have tasted defeat just once in the Chinese Super League and are on the verge of winning the title for a third season in a row – headed into the second leg of the quarter-final clash holding a 2-0 aggregate lead.

Lekhwiya’s hopes of progression appeared slim, and they were always second best in what proved to be an extremely one-sided contest.

It took the visitors just 15 minutes to break the deadlock, midfielder Dario Conca finding the net as he turned in a right-wing free-kick at the near post.

Guangzhou’s lead was doubled only a minute later, Elkeson’s curling free-kick bouncing in off the post, leaving home goalkeeper Amine Lecomte-Addani helpless.

By that point the tie was all but over, but Guangzhou continued to be ruthless in front of goal, and Lippi’s side duly added a third just after the half-hour mark, Brazilian forward Muriqui slotting home with a smart finish.

The hosts refused to lie down, though, and they did restore some respectability six minutes into the second half as midfielder Nam Tae-Hee reduced the deficit.

But it was Guangzhou who were in command throughout, and they rounded off a comfortable win 13 minutes from time as Elkeson scored his second.

The first leg of the semi-finals are to take place on September 24, with Lippi’s men set to face either Kashiwa Reysol or Al Shabab.