Constantin Budescu's quickfire brace has put Astra Giugriu 2-1 up against West Ham United in their Europa League clash at the Stadionul Marin Anastasovici.

The Hammers made a perfect start as Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini won possession in the opposition half before cutting inside and firing home two minutes in, despite Astra's keeper getting a light touch on the ball.

Just after the half-hour mark, however, the Romanian side were level courtesy of Budescu, whose low shot from 22 yards out slipped through the legs of defender Doneil Henry and beat keeper Darren Randolph for pace before nestling into the net.

Just three minutes later West Ham were stunned once again as the 26-year-old attacking midfielder latched on to William De Amorim's cutback and duly slotted home, the visitors' defence being sliced open with ease.