Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman scored a hat-trick to steer Atalanta to a 3-0 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 Europa League final.
The Nigerian, who was the player of the match as the Bergamo-based club won their first trophy in 61 years, became the first African to score n European final hattrick. He is the first final hat-trick scorer since the competition became a one-off final.
Three different but brilliantly taken goals in the 12th, 26th (this involved a sublime nutmeg of Granit Xhaka and sweeping finish into the bottom corner from outside the box) and 75th minutes from the Super Eagles forward Lookman, consigned Bundesliga Champions and Invincibles, Leverkusen to their first defeat in 51 matches.
From the start the match the Gianpiero Gasperini coached side from Bergamo were fired up and pressed hard forcing Leverkusen into uncharacteristic mistakes and turnovers. They were deserving of the win.
Lookman and the Brazilian, Ederson in midfield had games to live long in the memory. The Nigerian had his third time change of fortune following his AFCON final and Copa Italia defeats already this year.
Atalanta and indeed, Leverkusen will play in the prestigious UEFA Champions League next season.
