CFR Cluj’s knockout stage hopes are still alive, while Braga are out of Europe all together. Thanks to a brilliant first half hat trick by Rui Pedro and a needless red card by Braga’s Douglao, Cluj were able to coast to a victory, playing themselves into second place in Group H.
CFR Cluj vs. Braga: Final score 3-1, Portuguese side out of Champions League
Braga are done in Europe, following a nightmare first half in Romania.
Rui Pedro’s first goal came via a brilliant flick by Rafael Bastos, which played him through on goal before he applied the finish. He struck again just eight minutes later, cleaning up the garbage after a poor clearance by the Braga defense, and Cluj were up by two goals just 15 minutes in.
Alan pulled Braga back into the match with an answer in the 17th minute, but they were buried quickly. Rui Pedro completed his hat trick on the 33rd minute, and Douglao got himself sent off just before the stroke of halftime. Up two goals and a man, Cluj cruised through the second half towards a comfortable win.
While the Romanian side is in control of their own destiny, they’ll likely need to get a result at Old Trafford to progress. They’re currently tied on points with Galatasaray.
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