Europa League Glory for Nigeria’s Lookman and Atalanta

Europa League Glory for Nigeria’s Lookman and Atalanta

Ademola Lookman etched his name into Dublin history books when he netted a memorable hat-trick. In the Europa League final, Atalanta hammered Bayer Leverkusen three goals to nothing courtesy of his stunning performance which ended Leverkusen’s impressive record of not losing in 51 matches in a fantastic manner. Most significantly, the Nigerian forward also ended his side’s 117-year wait for a major European trophy by helping them to win as underdogs.

The Atalanta Fairytale Begins

From kick-off, the unknown Italians attacked their well-known opponents. They gave them no rest, chasing and harassing them everywhere on the pitch. Gianluca Scamacca missed an early header from Matteo Ruggeri’s cross. His effort went straight at the keeper though. This was just but the beginning of more to come from Atalanta.

Lookman Opens The Scoring Sheet

Davide Zappacosta found himself unmarked after 12 minutes down the right wing. His low cross found Lookman who had time to control the ball before placing it past Exequiel Palacios who was rooted to the spot. What a finish! What a goal! What scenes as his teammates mobbed him in celebration.
Suddenly, the pre-match favourites looked rattled and unsure of themselves. Atalanta sensed blood and duly struck again just 14 minutes later. A dreadful Leverkusen giveaway gifted Lookman possession on the edge of the box. The Nigerian showed sublime skill to skip beyond one defender before curling an exquisite right-footed strike into the bottom corner.

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No Way Back for Stunned Leverkusen

At 2-0 down inside 26 minutes, the unbeaten German champions had an almighty mountain to climb. Though they had flashes of menace going forward, Atalanta defended stoically to preserve their lead into the break. The outstanding Charles De Ketelaere went closest for Leverkusen but couldn’t find a way through.

Recognizing the need for a quick response, Xabi Alonso made an attacking change at half-time, bringing on top scorer Victor Boniface. Yet it failed to shift the momentum as Atalanta continued to match Leverkusen’s physicality while carrying a greater goal threat themselves.

Lookman’s Magical Moment

Summing up Atalanta’s fearless, attack-minded gameplan, the decisive third goal arrived with 15 minutes remaining. Again it came from the outstanding Lookman. Picking up possession out wide on the left, the Nigerian skipped inside before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the far top corner with his supposedly weaker left foot.
In that moment, Lookman etched his name into European final folklore – becoming only the 6th player in history to score a hat-trick on this stage.

“We needed to attack, not just defend,” Gasperini stated afterwards. “Everyone was extraordinary. We deserved this win without doubt against such a strong team. Winning the Europa League is an extraordinary achievement.”
Alonso’s Heartache and Pride
A shellshocked Xabi Alonso admitted his side simply had no answers, outplayed and outfought by unfancied

Atalanta on the big occasion.

“It’s very demanding playing against them – highly physical with battles all over the pitch,” the Spaniard reflected. “They were better than us today. We have no excuses.”
However, Alonso was still immensely proud of his team’s historicunbeaten run. “Normally a run like that ends much earlier in a season,” he said. “To go 52 games is exceptional, so we have to be really proud even if we fell short tonight.”

The atmosphere inside Dublin’s Aviva Stadium crackled from long before kick-off. Both sets of fans traveled in huge numbers, creating a noise to rival some of the venue’s greatest rugby and football occasions down the years.
As the night wore on and Atalanta’s dream became reality, the raucous celebrations from the underdogs’ support grew ever louder and more unbridled. After a 61-year wait for major silverware since 1963, this was a night like no other for the fans of the small provincial club from Bergamo to savour.

For the Leverkusen faithful, the vast disappointment was tempered by immense pride in their team’s remarkable ‘Neverlusen’ status. Going into this game, they hadn’t tasted defeat in any competition for 51 matches stretching back over a year.

Triumph of the Underdog

Ultimately, Atalanta’s victory represented a romantic triumph of the underdog over the giants of the continental game. They had already beaten European heavyweights Liverpool and three-time finalists Marseille to make it this far. Overcoming the mighty Leverkusen proved the final hurdle as Atalanta became the first Italian winners of this competition since Parma 25 years ago.

For a club of such relatively limited resources and tradition, it was an extraordinary achievement to master the continent’s second-tier club tournament. Players like Lookman, De Ketelaere, and Giorgio Scalvini announced themselves as rising stars under Gasperini’s tutelage.

This Atalanta side had every requisite for success: energy, organization, quality, and a never-say-die spirit. On their debut final appearance, there were no jitters, just a supreme display to dethrone the previously inevitable-looking champions of Germany’s Bundesliga.

In doing so, the heroes of Bergamo crafted their own little slice of sporting immortality. A true underdog story for the ages in the world of sports.