Rafael Bastos scored twice in the first half to give Cluj a 2-0 win at Braga on Wednesday in the Champions League.Bastos, a Braga reject, put the visitors ahead in the 19th when he linked up with Modou Sougou on a counterattack and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
The Brazilian struck again 15 minutes later, getting past three Braga defenders down the left before blasting the ball past Beto.
Braga had most of the possession in northern Portugal but fell prey to the Romanian team’s quick counterattacks and ruthless finishing.
The triumph was Cluj’s second victory in three appearances in the competition. It had lost its previous five Champions League away matches.
The teams are in Group H along with Manchester United and Galatasaray.
Pantelis Kapetanos squandered a chance to increase the lead on a counterattack when he ran at Beto unchallenged but shot just wide.
Mossoro, Eder and Hugo Viana, with a powerful volley, all tested Cluj goalkeeper Mario Felgueiras as Braga pushed forward.
Braga went all out to get back into the game after the break, with Felgueiras producing some spectacular saves, especially from Ruben Micael at close range in the 60th.
The home team was cautious in defense, though, and lacked numbers in attack where its moves quickly faded.
