Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman emerged as the star of the night, clinching a remarkable hat-trick as Atalanta shattered Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten streak with a resounding 3-0 victory in the Europa League final on Wednesday. This triumph marked Atalanta’s first continental trophy in 61 years.
Lookman’s extraordinary feat not only secured victory but also etched his name in history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final since 1975, cementing Atalanta’s place in football glory. His stellar performance propelled Atalanta to their inaugural European Cup title, a historic moment for the club.
Under the leadership of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta, despite living in the shadows of prominent nearby clubs like AC and Inter Milan, has seen a remarkable rise. Having secured Champions League berths on four occasions, this victory finally adorned their trophy cabinet, signifying their rise to prominence.
While Leverkusen had displayed late comebacks throughout their remarkable journey to their first Bundesliga title, they faltered in the face of Atalanta’s determined play from the outset. Atalanta’s early dominance paid off as Lookman capitalized on a moment of brilliance from Davide Zappacosta, exploiting a lapse in Leverkusen’s defense to find the back of the net just 12 minutes into the game.
Lookman’s journey to this pinnacle moment has been characterized by resilience, having navigated through loan spells in the Premier League with Fulham and Leicester City after facing setbacks at RB Leipzig. His stellar performance in the Europa League final now stands as a testament to his unwavering determination and talent on the pitch.
