Lookman Lights Up the Stage with a Hat-trick Heroics as Atalanta Stun Leverkusen in the Europa League Final

Ademola Lookman was the hero for Atalanta as his hat-trick secured a 3-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final in Dublin on Wednesday, ending the Italian side’s 61-year wait for a major trophy.

Lookman, who revived his career in Italy after struggling in the English Premier League, scored twice in the first 26 minutes to put Atalanta in control. His first came from a well-worked move down the right, with Davide Zappacosta given too much space to pick out the striker, who applied a composed finish.

The Nigerian forward then skipped past a defender and curled a beautiful right-footed shot into the bottom corner from outside the box to double the lead. Atalanta was in dreamland, and Leverkusen looked shell-shocked.

 

Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring his and Atalanta’s third goal to complete his hat-trick. Reuters

Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface in action against Atalanta’s Berat Djimsiti. Reuters

Masterful Display

Leverkusen, who had gone an incredible 51 games unbeaten, struggled to get a foothold in the game and create clear-cut chances. Atalanta, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the break and Charles De Ketelaere came close to adding a third before halftime.

The German side improved slightly after the break, with the introduction of top scorer Victor Boniface, but it was another night to forget for Xabi Alonso’s team, who had also been outplayed by Liverpool and Olympique de Marseille in the earlier rounds.

Lookman completed his hat-trick with a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner to seal the win and write his name in the history books. He became just the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a major European final, and the first since Jupp Heynckes in 1975.

Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring his hat-trick. Reuters

Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba in action against Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman. Reuters

Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic celebrates winning the Europa League. Reuters

The victory was a historic moment for Atalanta, who became the first Italian side to win the competition since Parma in 1999. It was also a personal triumph for coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who finally lifted a major trophy after a two-decade-long pursuit.

“We needed to be attacking, and we did it in an extraordinary way,” Gasperini told Sky Sports Italia. “We deserved it without a shadow of a doubt against such a strong team. Winning the Europa League is an extraordinary achievement.”

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