Ademola Lookman’s hat trick sees Atalanta through to lifting their first major trophy in 61 years after beating Bayer Leverkusen in the final in Dublin.
What would have seen the German side go unbeaten in all tournaments ended in their last game on a big stage.
It was an action-filled first half as Atalanta dismantled Bayer Leverkusen with a 2-0 lead in the UEFA Europa League final. Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman’s brace in Dublin fired Atalanta to an early dream, which eventually saw them lift a trophy for the first time in 61 years. Ademola Lookman appeared to be too difficult for the Leverkusen defenders, as every one of his paces posed a threat.
Despite Leverkusen attempting major strikes, Lookman was still able to break through their vulnerable defense to score his third goal, becoming the first African player to score a hat trick in a European final.
He has now joined Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo as the only Nigerian players to score in the final of a major UEFA competition and is the newest Nigerian, after Kanu Nwankwo, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Chidi Odiah, Taribo West, and Samuel Chukwueze, to lift the prestigious title.
