Europa League: Ademola Lookman Leads Atalanta To Win First Major European Competition Trophy

 

Atalanta have won their first major European trophy in club history with a spectacular 3-0 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen with Ademola Lookman scoring a thrilling hat-trick in the Europa League final. 

Leverkusen had just won their first German Bundesliga title over the weekend and had remained unbeaten through 51 games in all competitions - they were unbeaten through the season. Unfortunately for the Xavi Alonso-led side, the Italian side ended their unbeaten run to win the Europa League. 

Ademola delivered an early lead goal to Atalanta, blasting into the top corner of the goal Davide Zappacosta's pass. He doubled the lead minutes later, whilst challenged by Granit Xhaka, he curled a superb right-footed shot home, and completed the hat-trick in the second half, blasting home a left-footed from inside of the box. The goals were the first ever hat-trick from an African descent in a major European competition final. 

Leverkusen were neatly overran amd outperformed by the Italian side from the early stages of the game. Unlike the German side, they struggled with keeping the ball possessions as Atalanta quickly established dominance of the game. 

Having won the Europa League, Atalanta will be participating in the UEFA Champions League next season, and likewise Leverkusen, since tthey are the champions of the Bundesliga of this season.