Fransisca Ordega's assist was key in Shanghai's 2-0 win at South African duo Thembi Kgatlana and Linda Motlhalo's Beijing Phoenix in a Chinese Women's Super League encounter.
Heading into Saturday's tie, second-placed Beijing were aiming for a home win against Shanghai to close the gap with leaders Jiangsu Suning.
On the other hand, third-placed Shanghai were hoping to upstage their hosts in a bid to displace them from the second place.
Miao Siwen scored her fourth goal of the season off an assist from Nigeria's Ordega to hand the visitors the lead.
The hosts' comeback hopes were buried when Huang Yini scored her second goal in consecutive games to seal the visitors' win.