Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, the side that spent a fortune on Colombian striker Jackson Martinez and Brazilian midfielder Paulinho, are through to the AFC Champions League quarterfinals after defeating Japan’s Kashima Antlers on away goals.
Tuesday’s second leg round of 16 match was a decidedly Brazilian-heavy affair, with Guangzhou being managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari and featuring Paulinho, Ricardo Goulart and Alan Carvalho. Kashima featured two Brazilians of their own: Leandro and Pedro Junior.
Pedro Junior’s 28th minute strike briefly leveled the aggregate score, but Paulinho restored Guangzhou’s advantage in the 55th with his second goal of the tie.
Guangzhou are also currently sitting atop the Chinese Super League table with 28 points from 11 matches, two points clear of Shanghai SIPG.