Europa League final: Nigeria’s Lookman the hero as Atalanta stun Leverkusen | Football News

Lookman’s beautiful hat-trick brings Atalanta their first trophy in 117 years and an finish to ‘Neverlusen’s’ unbeaten run.

Ademola Lookman scored a shocking hat-trick as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 within the Europa League last to win simply the second main trophy of their 117-year historical past and finish the German champions’ exceptional unbeaten streak.

Lookman, who struggled to ascertain himself within the English Premier League with Everton, Fulham and Leicester Metropolis earlier than reviving his profession in Italy underneath Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, struck twice inside the primary 26 minutes earlier than sealing the win quarter-hour from full-time on Wednesday evening.

The victory ended Gasperini’s personal two-decade-long pursuit of main silverware as his facet completely outplayed Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen – or ‘Neverlusen’ as that they had been dubbed after going an unimaginable 51 video games unbeaten.

However simply as they did in opposition to Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and three-time finalists Olympique de Marseille within the earlier two rounds, Atalanta didn’t give their opponents a sniff and marked their first European last with a well-known victory.

“We would have liked to be attacking. It was not sufficient simply to defend. We all know these groups are nice at attacking. Everybody was extraordinary,” Gasperini advised Sky Sports activities Italia, referring to the groups his facet beat to change into the primary Italian winners of the competitors since Parma 25 years in the past.

“The best way we did it was an important factor. We deserved it and not using a shadow of a doubt in opposition to such a powerful workforce. Successful the Europa League is a rare achievement.”

A part of historical past ⚫️🔵#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/CJIIg5FZUk

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024

Leverkusen began the sport trying decidedly uncertain of themselves and a few uncharacteristically sloppy play handed the primary likelihood of the sport to Gianluca Scamacca, who didn’t get sufficient on his header from a superb Matteo Ruggeri cross.

It was an early warning shot, and the purposeful Italians struck inside minutes when Davide Zappacosta was allowed far an excessive amount of area down the precise earlier than Lookman beat a flatfooted Exequiel Palacios to the cutback to stroke house the opener.

Lookman was mobbed by his teammates and substitutes who had been in dreamland 14 minutes later.

One other Leverkusen error gifted possession to the Nigerian ahead, who skipped previous one defender and curled a gorgeous right-footed shot into the bottom-right nook from simply outdoors the field.

‘Among the best nights of my life’

The shocked Germans confirmed transient flashes of how rapidly they may flip it on in assault, however little got here of it – and it was Charles De Ketelaere who got here closest on the break as Atalanta didn’t present a shred of debut last nerves nor any results from the absence of injured captain Marten de Roon.

Leverkusen swapped defender Josip Stanisic for high scorer Victor Boniface at halftime, however it modified little as each units of travelling followers continued to create the form of Aviva Stadium noise matched solely by among the Irish rugby groups’ well-known wins or memorable worldwide soccer nights of years passed by.

Leverkusen had solely failed to attain as soon as through the run that featured 42 wins in all competitions and 17 objectives scored in or after the ninetieth minute, however there was no such comeback on Wednesday in opposition to the resolute Atalanta backline.

“The normality is to not get defeated within the 52nd sport. Usually it occurs a lot earlier within the season. It’s been fairly distinctive what now we have achieved, and now we have to be actually proud,” Alonso advised a information convention.

“We had been lacking many issues for certain. It’s very demanding to play in opposition to Atalanta, numerous twin conditions, very bodily … It occurs, it’s soccer, at this time wasn’t our day. They had been higher.”

Lookman, who accomplished his hat-trick with one other beautiful strike into the highest nook, this time together with his left foot, grew to become the sixth particular person to attain three objectives in a serious European last and first since Jupp Heynckes’ for Borussia Monchengladbach within the 1975 UEFA Cup.

He was flung into the air by his teammates when the ultimate whistle blew, and the Bergamo membership ended the 61-year wait since their 1963 Italian Cup triumph.

“It’s top-of-the-line nights of my life,” Lookman, who cradled the match ball as he collected his winners’ medal, advised TNT Sports activities.

“It was a tremendous efficiency from the workforce. We did it … We made historical past tonight.”