Atalanta BC clinched their inaugural Europa League championship with an impressive display against Bayer Leverkusen, featuring a memorable hat-trick from Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman.
This triumph not only halted Leverkusen’s unbeaten run but also signified Atalanta’s maiden goal and trophy in a European final on Wednesday evening at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It marked the team’s first title victory in 61 years.
London-born Nigeria winger Lookman’s hat-trick made history as he became the first player since 1975 to score a hat-trick in a European final, securing Atalanta’s inaugural continental trophy.
“It’s one of the best nights of my life. Amazing performance from the team,” Lookman expressed.
“We’ve got to celebrate; we made history tonight.”
Look man’s goals were crucial, coming at pivotal moments in the match — scoring in the 12th, 26th, and 75th minutes.
The Europa League’s official account posted, “Lookman becomes the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final.”
His outstanding performance played a pivotal role in guiding Atalanta to this monumental triumph against a Leverkusen side that had recently secured the Bundesliga title and was considered a formidable favorite before the match.
This victory crowns a remarkable season for Atalanta under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who lauded his team’s resilience and preparation ahead of the final.
Despite Leverkusen’s impressive unbeaten streak and recent domestic achievements, they fell short of securing the treble, with this defeat serving as a notable setback just days before their German Cup final match.
On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen posted on their official account, “Today just wasn’t our day. We are incredibly proud of our Europa League journey and grateful to all our fans for accompanying us on this journey together.”
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