Ademola Lookman hit a hattrick as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 on Wednesday night to lift the UEFA Europa League title.
The heroics mean that Lookman became the first player since 1975 to score a hat-trick in a European final in what was the club’s second trophy in their history.
Former Chelsea wing-back Davide Zappacosta scorched through the channel between Leverkusen’s goal and the byline, before cutting back for Lookman who made no mistake in opening the scores.
Within no time, Leverkusen were behind again, and very quickly behind by more. The next goal was even worse for them, and much better from Lookman. An errant header made its way back towards the winger, who put the ball between Xhaka’s legs with an almost casual ease. Lookman then sized up the long shot and swerved it around Matej Kovar and into the far corner from distance.
Lookman’s second at least started to wake them, as Alex Grimaldo began to get into dangerous positions. He just wasn’t making them count.
Alonso had to change something. Victor Boniface was brought on for Josip Stanisic. That did add more vigour to Leverkusen’s attack. They began to get into the game. They also started to leave more space at the back for Lookman to exploit. He topped it all off with an exquisite finish and Atalanta’s third to kill the game.
It was a hat-trick of the most divine and varied quality, to give the club’s legendary manager Gian Piero Gasperini the first trophy his adventurous career deserved.