Italian powerhouse Atalanta secured a historic Europa League title, thanks to the stellar performance of their star player, Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian forward led the charge, guiding Atalanta to a resounding 3-0 victory over German giants Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.
Lookman opened the scoring early, netting his first goal in the 12th minute, followed by a second strike in the 26th minute, cementing Atalanta's dominance in the first half. This impressive display marked Lookman's first brace in the tournament since 2017 and the first-ever in a European League final match under its new name.
Despite Bayer Leverkusen's valiant efforts, controlling 66% of possession and directing four attempts on goal in the first half, Atalanta's effectiveness and Lookman's brilliance proved decisive. The Nigerian star became the first African player to score a brace in a European final, etching his name in the history books.
In the second half, Bayer Leverkusen pushed hard to bridge the gap, but Lookman had other plans. He sealed the win with a hat-trick goal in the 75th minute, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the European League final under its new name.
Atalanta's triumphant victory marked their first European title and made them the first Italian team to win the competition in the current century. Moreover, they halted Bayer Leverkusen's impressive 51-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
