CSL's defending champions Shanghai SIPG faced Tianjin TEDA in the first round of the new season. Rong Hao opened the scoring in only the sixth minute for Tianjin with a free kick earned when Frank Acheampong was taken down by SIPG's Fu Huan, and his team maintained that lead for most of the opening half. But SIPG kept their cool and played well, launching attacks from both wings.

In the 39th minute, SIPG's Oscar had a corner kick that was almost converted by Yu Hai.

Then, only one minute later, Brazil's Ricardo Lopes leveled the score for SIPG, making it 1-1. The tide was turned immediately and less than five minutes later, Wang Shenchao scored with a point blank header to make it 2-1 on the verge of half time.

In the second half, SIPG continued to threaten TEDA's goal. The game could have been long gone if it weren't for their goalkeeper, Du Jia. Nonetheless, in the 64th minute, Lopes got his brace by breaking through TEDA's defense and smashed in a powerful volley to make it 3-1. Ever since his first goal, SIPG were in control and now, with a large goal advantage, they cruised to the final whistle.

This victory gets SIPG off to a great start and also maintains their unbeaten record against TEDA; according to transfermarkt, in the past 15 matches, SIPG have won 10 and drawn five times against TEDA and incurred no losses.