Ademola Lookman has made history in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League final after bagging an iconic hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen. The Serie A side were much the better side at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, and romped to victory.
The Nigerian striker’s first goal arrived in the 12th minute after Leverkusen failed to clear their lines. He was on hand to bury the ball home after a pinball-like scenario in the Bundesliga champions’ box.
Lookman, 26, doubled Atalanta’s lead and his tally for the evening 14 minutes later with a sensational finish. The former Everton striker broke forward, cut onto his right foot, and sent a curling effort past Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
The pacey forward wasn’t done there as he capped off a perfect night with a third goal in the 76th minute. He steered away from Edmond Tapsoba before firing past Kovar. It was a sensational hat-trick for the Nigeria international who wowed fans on Wednesday night.
Those three goals mean Lookman is the first player in Europa League final history to conjure up a hat-trick. Radamel Falcao had been the record-holder with two goals in the 2012 final. The Colombian bagged in Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao to give Diego Simeone’s side the trophy but Lookman has trumped this.
Lookman is enjoying a scintillating season with Atalanta and his brace takes his overall tally for the season to 15 goals and eight assists in 43 games across competitions. Five of those goals have come in the Europa League and he’s been man-of-the-match against Xabi Alonso’s Die Werkself.
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