Lately, Guarín once again proved his value on the pitch, delivering a standout performance that has all but secured his spot in the upcoming FA Cup semifinal second leg. For fans who follow both football and BD Cricket Match, such comebacks are a reminder of how a single player can shift momentum when it matters most.

In this match, Guarín completed 42 passes—the highest in the team—with an exceptional accuracy rate of 90.5%, meaning nearly every ball he delivered found its intended target. Defensively, he added one interception, one tackle, two clearances, and two blocked shots, showing his impact on both ends of the field. Simply put, with Guarín in the lineup, Shenhua looks like a different team.

So far this season, Guarín has played in 16 matches for Shenhua, contributing to 8 wins and 4 losses. Notably, one of those defeats came against Guangzhou Evergrande—a game Shenhua was leading until Guarín was forced off due to injury, after which the team collapsed. In contrast, without Guarín, Shenhua has managed just 4 wins all season, underscoring his importance to the squad. While his performance has been strong, it doesn’t yet mean he’s back at his peak. His fitness remains a concern after a long injury layoff, and at times he still slows down play by holding the ball too long.

But recovery is a gradual process, and it’s unrealistic to expect a returning player to be flawless. Even so, the current version of Guarín has already won over Shenhua supporters. With Shenhua’s next match being the decisive FA Cup clash against Shanghai Shenxin, competition among foreign players will be fierce. Martins is also expected to return, meaning only three slots are available among Martins, Kim Kee-hee, Moreno, Tévez, and Guarín. Still, barring any surprises, Guarín is almost certain to claim one of those starting spots.

Guarín’s presence also opened up chances for other teammates like Zhu Jianrong, who benefited from his midfield control. In the prior rescheduled match against Shandong Luneng, Guarín was only expected to play briefly but insisted on coming off the bench for 45 minutes—his determination impressing coach Wu Jingui. That outing gave him enough rhythm to earn a start against Guangzhou R&F.

It marked his first start since the away match against Jiangsu Suning over two months ago. After an extended recovery, Guarín returned to the pitch in full force. In the 30th minute, Shenhua earned a free kick just outside the box. Stepping up with confidence, Guarín unleashed a thunderous strike that slammed off the underside of the crossbar and into the net—leaving R&F keeper Cheng Yuelei rooted to the spot. Shenhua had the lead, and the Hongkou crowd erupted.

That goal marked the eighth time this season Guarín has opened the scoring for Shenhua. Coach Wu praised him afterward, noting that the stunning free-kick was a powerful statement of his return. Beyond the goal, Guarín forced R&F to stretch their defensive line, thanks to his long-range shooting ability, which in turn created more space inside the box for Shenhua’s forwards. Just like a clutch performer in a BD Cricket Match, Guarín’s presence lifted the entire team, showing that form is temporary, but class is permanent.