Despite Cristiano’s opener forcing a 1-1 draw, Kashiwa Reysol never looked likely to overturn their deficit in the second leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.
The 2013 semi-finalists therefore bow out of this edition of Asia’s premier club competition having lost 4-2 on aggregate, following the 3-1 defeat they suffered at home in August.
Cristiano’s firm downward header from Akimi Barada’s set-piece delivery crept into Guangzhou’s net in the 13th minute, but Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men subsequently took control to force an equaliser via Huang Bowen’s volley in an open encounter.
2013 champions Evergrande could potentially face Gamba Osaka in the semi-finals now, with the Japanese treble winners due to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Wednesday.