CFR Cluj remained in the hunt for a berth in the Champions League knockout stages after beating Braga 3-1 with a hat trick from Rui Pedro on Tuesday.Cluj and Galatasaray, which beat Group H winner Manchester United 1-0 at home, have seven points each.
In the last round of group matches in two weeks, Cluj visits United while Galatasaray goes to the eliminated Braga.
Pedro scored in the seventh minute off his left foot and in the 15th from a pass by Modou Sougou.
Braga replied two minutes later when Alan took a high pass from Ruben Micael and shot past goalkeeper Mario Felgueiras.
Pedro slammed his third in with his right foot from about 15 meters (yards) in the 33rd in a game in which Braga won two-thirds of possession but was let down by a weak defense.
Braga’s Brazilian defender Douglas Foureira was sent off for elbowing Ionut Rada in the face in the 45th, but the scoreless second half was scrappy as Cluj failed to capitalize on the man advantage.
“The mistakes cost us dear,” Braga coach Jose Peseiro said. “I am guilty, mistakes were made that we should not have allowed … but I am the only guilty one.”
Paulo Sergio, Cluj’s new Portuguese coach, was satisfied with the result against a tireless Braga.
“The result was great,” he said. “We had a good first half with the commitment of the players and their determination.”
