China U17 defeat River Plate to reach final

The 1st–4th place play-off of the 2026 Shanghai Future Stars Cup took place at the north training ground outside Pudong Football Stadium, with China U17 facing River Plate U17. After 90 minutes, both teams remained goalless at 0–0. In the penalty shootout, Jiang Yuhan saved two penalties in succession, helping China U17 win 3–1 on aggregate and advance to the final. On August 9th, China U17 will meet Arsenal U17 again in the final.

In the 19th minute, Kuang Zhaolei broke down the right flank and sent in a cross, which was cleared. In the 28th minute, Zhao Songyuan flicked on a header, and Jin Guancheng’s close-range shot was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 35th minute, Kuang Zhaolei dribbled past two defenders on the right and broke into the box, but the River Plate defenders managed to clear the danger. At halftime, the score remained 0–0.

Early in the second half, China U17 continued to press. In the 50th minute, Kuang Zhaolei’s cross from the right just missed the goal. In the 69th minute, Kuang Zhaolei’s direct free kick from the wing was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 75th minute, Jin Guancheng was brought down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty, but Zhao Songyuan’s spot kick was saved, and China U17 missed a great scoring chance. After 90 minutes, the match went to penalties.

In the shootout, Jiang Yuhan saved two penalties. In the end, China U17 defeated River Plate U17 3–1 on penalties to advance to the Future Stars Cup final.