In a stunning upset, Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick led Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
This defeat ends Leverkusen’s remarkable 51-game unbeaten run.
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side, after an exceptional season, faltered against Lookman’s brilliance in the Europa League final.
Lookman’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He opened the scoring with a precise back-post finish just 12 minutes into the game.
His second goal, a curling effort, doubled Atalanta’s advantage 14 minutes later. Lookman completed his hat-trick with a powerful left-footed strike, cementing his name as the first player to achieve such a feat in a Europa League final.
For Leverkusen, who had stormed to their first Bundesliga title, hopes of a treble were dashed.
However, they have a chance to salvage a domestic double by defeating Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, securing his first major trophy in a career spanning years of hard work and dedication.
Atalanta’s triumph in the Europa League final not only ended Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten streak but also marked their first major trophy in 61 years, their inaugural European trophy, and showcased the first-ever hat-trick in a UEL final, all underlining their remarkable achievement on the European stage.
Ademola Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final to win just the second major trophy in their 117-year history and end the German champions’ remarkable unbeaten streak.
Lookman, who struggled to establish himself in the English Premier League with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City before reviving his career in Italy under Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, struck twice inside the first 26 minutes before sealing the win 15 minutes from full-time on Wednesday night.
The victory ended Gasperini’s own two-decade-long pursuit of major silverware as his side totally outplayed Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen – or ‘Neverlusen’ as they had been dubbed after going an incredible 51 games unbeaten.
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