Ademola Lookman scored a hat-trick as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win Europa League and end the German’s team 51 unbeaten matches.
The Nigerian forward scored two goals in the first half and completed his hat-trick in pulsating fashion as the Italian side ended their trophy hunt.
Lookman made history as he became the first player to score a hat-trick in Europa League final. He also helped Atalanta win its first continental trophy since 1963.
Leverkusen opened the scoring 12 minutes into the match. Davide Zappacosta fed the ball through to Lookman, who picked up the pass inside the box and quickly sent it into the left side of the goal.
Lookman’s brace came in the 26th minute of the match. The ball rebounded and arrived at his feet, just outside the box. He fired a great shot into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.
In the 35th minute, Alejandro Grimaldo came close to scoring but should have done much better. His poor attempt from close range ended up in Juan Musso’s gloves.
Eight minutes later, Charles De Ketelaere placed a shot from the edge of the box towards the bottom right corner, but Matej Kovar made a terrific save to deny him.
Lookman completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute. He made a great solo run and pulled the trigger from inside the box, beating Matej Kovar with a strike under the crossbar to make it 3-0.
