Atalanta vs Leverkusen Highlights: Ademola Lookman Hat-Trick Stuns Bayer Leverkusen in Europa League Final

Atalanta triumphed over Bayer Leverkusen with a stunning 3-0 victory, ending the German champions’ remarkable 51-game unbeaten run. The hero of the night was Ademola Lookman, who delivered an unforgettable performance with a hat-trick, etching his name in European football history.

Bayer Leverkusen entered the final as favorites, having completed an unbeaten Bundesliga season and remained undefeated throughout their Europa League campaign. Xabi Alonso’s men were on the cusp of a historic treble, with the German Cup final also looming on the horizon. Fans flocked to Dublin with high hopes of witnessing Leverkusen cement their legacy as one of football’s greatest teams.

However, Atalanta had other plans. Under the astute management of Gian Piero Gasperini, the Italian side was determined to secure their first major trophy in over six decades. The stage was set for an epic clash, and the match did not disappoint.

From the outset, Atalanta’s high-pressing game unsettled Leverkusen. The first goal came just 12 minutes in when Davide Zappacosta’s incisive run and cross found Lookman at the back post. The former Everton player capitalized on a lapse in concentration from Exequiel Palacios, firing into the roof of the net and sending the Atalanta fans into raptures.

Leverkusen struggled to cope with Atalanta’s relentless pressure, and Lookman soon doubled the lead. In the 26th minute, he picked up a loose ball, nutmegged Granit Xhaka, and unleashed a powerful shot into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Matej Kovar with no chance. Leverkusen, usually so composed, looked rattled and unable to find their rhythm.

Leverkusen had their chances to get back into the game but failed to convert. Alex Grimaldo had a clear opportunity just before halftime, but his tame effort was easily saved by Juan Musso. Jeremie Frimpong also squandered a chance, blasting over with the goal gaping. These misses proved costly as Atalanta maintained their grip on the match.

The second half saw Leverkusen make tactical changes, with Victor Boniface coming on to provide a focal point in attack. Despite this, Atalanta’s defense, marshaled by captain Rafael Toloi and standout center-back Berat Djimsiti, remained resolute.

Lookman completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion. Gianluca Scamacca broke through the middle and found Lookman, who skipped past Edmond Tapsoba and blasted a left-footed shot into the top corner. This goal not only sealed the victory but also made Lookman the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final in nearly half a century.

Atalanta’s victory was a historic moment for the club and Italian football. It marked the first time an Italian side had won the Europa League since Parma in 1999. The fans who traveled from Bergamo celebrated long into the night, savoring a triumph that had eluded their team for so long.

For Bayer Leverkusen, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Their unbeaten run, which had brought them so close to an unprecedented treble, was over. However, they quickly turned their focus to the upcoming German Cup final against Kaiserslautern, aiming to end the season on a high note.

Xabi Alonso remained proud of his team’s achievements despite the loss. “For me, the result today doesn’t change how proud I am of my players or what we are doing,” he told TNT Sports. “We were lifting the Bundesliga trophy on Saturday, and we will have the chance to lift the Pokal on Saturday again.”