Braga 2-0 CFR Cluj - Rodrigo Zalazar at the double in the Europa League qualifiers | OneFootball

Braga earned a spot in the Europa League play-offs after a comfortable 2-0 victory against CFR Cluj.

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Romania, Rodrigo Zalazar won a penalty and made no mistake from the spot in the 19th minute.

Alin Fică fired the only shot on target for the visitors who were thoroughly outplayed in Portugal.

Zalazar doubled the advantage in added time as Carlos Vicens’ side cruised to the finish line with plenty left in the tank.

The Warriors will be unbackable favourites against Lincoln Red Imps, the first leg to be played in Gibraltar next week.

Braga 2-0 CFR Cluj

Gustaf Lagerbielke had a couple of early chances before Sikou Niakaté released Ricardo Horta, his cross set to be converted by Fran Navarro before Sheriff Sinyan made a crucial clearance.

Rodrigo Zalazar was getting plenty of ball down the left wing before relocating to the right side where he instigated the opening goal in the 19th minute. He latched onto a through ball from Victor Gómez and was brought down in the box by Sinyan, the Uruguayan stepping up to the penalty spot and sending Ottó Hindrich the wrong way.

Alin Fică tested Lukas Hornicek with a sharp volley but Braga were clearly the superior side. Horta fired into the side netting and Mario Dorgeles missed the target before Zalazar scored again in added time.

The goal came after some neat interplay with Horta and João Moutinho, Zalazar getting past Tidiane Keita and racing into the box where he curled the ball into the bottom corner.

Zalazar tested Hindrich after the break, Carlos Vicens shaking it up in the 61st minute when he introduced Vítor Carvalho and Gabri Martínez for Paulo Oliveira and Jean-Baptiste Gorby.

Gustaf Lagerbielke and Ricardo Horta then made way for Leonardo Lelo and Pau Víctor, Vicens going into meltdown mode against the officials and deservedly booked.

Diego Rodrigues came on for João Moutinho late on, the final chance of the contest falling for Navarro who scored from an offside position.

Warriors capitalising on a comfortable draw

Braga got off to a slow start in the Europa League qualifiers, unable to score in almost 200 minutes against Levski Sofia before Fran Navarro’s extra time goal secured a spot in the third round.

The Warriors beat CFR Cluj 2-1 in Romania and were never seriously threatened in the second leg, holding the visitors to one shot on target. It wasn’t a big surprise with Braga’s finances far superior than their opponents.

Carlos Vicens would have been thrilled to learn that his side will meet Lincoln Red Imps in the play-offs. The club from Gibraltar were not expected to stop Noah but earned a draw in Armenia where they took the tie to extra time and won the penalty shootout.

The Warriors therefore avoid a long trip to Armenia and should have few problems getting past the Red Imps to secure a spot in the league phase. The short trip to Gibraltar will also assist Braga in the Primeira Lig where their next three opponents are Alverca, AVS and Rio Ave.

Vicens made another eight changes to the side that started in the 3-0 win against Tondela. Expect to see more changes at Alverca on Sunday where Bright Arrey-Mbi, Leonardo Lelo, Vítor Carvalho, Diego Rodrigues, Ismaël Gharbi, Gabri Martínez, Roger Fernandes, Amine El Ouazzani and Pau Víctor are all chances to start.