Striker Asamoah Gyan was substituted at death as Shanghai SIPG beat Thai side Muang Thong United 3-0 at home in their Asian Champions League third qualifying round first leg tie.
The Ghana captain was replaced on 89 minutes after last season’s Chinese Super League runners up had banged in all the goals.
China international Lei Wu grabbed a brace with Argentine Dario Conca scoring in between those two strikes.
Gyan’s side now hold the advantage to reach the Group stage of the competition.