Italian football club Atalanta secured their maiden UEFA title in a historic fashion, propelled by a remarkable hat-trick from Ademola Lookman against Bayer Leverkusen.
This victory marked the end of Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive 51-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, adding a significant milestone to Atalanta's football legacy.
Entering the match as the underdogs, Atalanta had faced a setback in the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus, heightening the anticipation for their performance in the Europa League final.
Under the tactical guidance of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen opted for a False 9 approach, sidelining Victor Boniface and relying on other key players to secure a treble after already clinching the Bundesliga title.
Atalanta’s relentless pressure paid off early in the game when a poorly cleared corner by Leverkusen created an opportunity for Ademola Lookman.
Capitalizing on Davide Zappacosta’s precise cross, Lookman capitalized on the chance and scored from close range, breaking the deadlock and setting the tone for Atalanta’s dominance.
Exploiting Leverkusen's defensive vulnerabilities, Lookman further extended Atalanta's lead by intercepting a misplaced header from Amine Adli and showcasing his skillful dribbling to bypass Granit Xhaka before clinically finishing with a right-footed shot into the bottom corner, a historic feat as the first African player to score twice in a major UEFA final.
Despite Leverkusen's attempts to mount a comeback through efforts from Alex Grimaldo and Charles De Ketelaere, Atalanta's resolute defense thwarted any significant threats, preserving their lead.
Even with Leverkusen's tactical adjustments and the introduction of substitute Victor Boniface to bolster their attack, Atalanta's goalkeeper Juan Musso's crucial saves denied any hopes of a comeback for the German side.
In a sensational climax to the match, Lookman sealed Atalanta's triumph and his own stellar performance with a spectacular left-footed strike from a tight angle, completing his hat-trick and etching his name in history as the first player to achieve this feat in a Europa League final.
