Nigeria and Atalanta Forward scored a hattrick as Atalanta defeated Bayer-Leverkusen 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League Final on Wednesday Night.
The Former RB Leipzig player scored a hattrick to end Bayer Leverkusen’s fairy-tale 51 matches unbeaten run and secure Atalanta’s first European Cup title. Lookman also became the first player in 49 years to score a hat-trick in a European final, securing Atalanta’s first-ever continental trophy.
The team from Bergamo has long lived in the shadow of nearby giants AC and Inter Milan, but under Gian Piero Gasperini, they have enjoyed a golden era, reaching the Champions League on four occasions. Now, they finally have silverware to show for it.
Leverkusen, who recently won their first-ever Bundesliga title without a single defeat, failed to mount their usual late comeback this time, struggling to overcome a slow start. Atalanta’s purposeful play in the opening stages paid off just 12 minutes into the game. Davide Zappacosta reached the by-line, and Lookman capitalized on Exequiel Palacios’ lapse to fire into the top corner at the back post.
Lookman, who has experienced a nomadic career with loan spells at Fulham and Leicester after being sold by RB Leipzig, has found a home in Bergamo and is now a club hero. His second goal, a brilliant nutmeg of Granit Xhaka followed by a powerful shot into the far corner, was a standout moment in the 26th minute.
Despite Leverkusen’s reputation for late comebacks, they struggled to convert opportunities this time. Alex Grimaldo’s tame shot and Jeremie Frimpong’s miss with the goal gaping were costly. A wild challenge by Gianluca Scamacca on Florian Wirtz saw him escape with a yellow card, denying Leverkusen a potential lifeline.
Leverkusen coach, Xabi Alonso, who has turned down offers from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, made substitutions at half-time, bringing on Victor Boniface to add a focal point up front. However, the early damage was irreversible.
Atalanta, adept at counter-attacking, sealed their victory with another stunning goal from Lookman in the 75th minute to complete his hattrick dribbled past Edmond Tapsoba and blasted into the top corner with his left foot.
Previously, Atalanta had lost all three of their finals under Gasperini, including last week’s Coppa Italia defeat to Juventus. However, they were undeterred this time, driven by the support of thousands of fans clad in blue and black who traveled from northern Italy to the Irish capital. In achieving this triumph, Atalanta became the first Italian side to win the competition since Parma lifted the UEFA Cup in 1999.
