By In a stunning display of football, Atalanta claimed the Europa League title with a decisive 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Ademola Lookman emerged as the hero of the night, netting an extraordinary hat-trick that etched his name into the history books as the first to achieve such a feat in a Europa League final.
The match marked the end of Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive 51-match unbeaten streak, with Lookman’s brilliance overshadowing their previous successes. The former Everton forward dazzled the crowd, initiating the scoring spree with a precise finish at the 12-minute mark, followed by a breathtaking curler just 14 minutes later.
Completing his treble, Lookman unleashed a ferocious left-footed shot into the top corner, sealing a memorable triumph for Atalanta and their manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who celebrated his first significant silverware after a lengthy career.
Despite their recent Bundesliga championship, Leverkusen’s aspirations for a treble were dashed, though they still have a shot at a domestic double against Kaiserslautern in the upcoming German Cup.
Gasperini’s squad bounced back from their Coppa Italia final loss to Juventus, displaying resilience and tactical superiority. Leverkusen struggled against Atalanta’s aggressive pressing, which led to early turnovers and set the stage for the Italian side’s dominance.
Atalanta’s relentless pressure paid off when Teun Koopmeiners cleverly set up Davide Zappacosta, whose cross found Lookman for the opening goal. The German side’s inability to retain possession was further exploited by Lookman, who dazzled with his second goal, a 20-yard curling masterpiece.
Leverkusen had a chance to reduce the deficit through Alex Grimaldo, but his attempt to chip the goalkeeper fell short. Known for their late-game heroics, Leverkusen found no such magic against Atalanta, as Lookman’s third goal, a product of Gianluca Scamacca’s assist, confirmed their fate.
The victory not only brought jubilation to Atalanta but also added a rare piece of silverware to their cabinet, their second major trophy in a history spanning 116 years. The night belonged to Lookman and Atalanta, as they celebrated a well-deserved European conquest.
