Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick for Atalanta as they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to win the UEFA Europa League.
The win ended Atalanta’s 61-year trophy drought while halting Leverkusen’s 51 games unbeaten run in all competitions this season.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side now have a second trophy to add next to the 1963 Coppa Italia in their cabinet in Bergamo.
With this victory, if Atalanta finishes 5th in Serie A, Italy will be sending six teams into next season’s UEFA Champions League.
An excited Lookman, who becomes the first ever player to bag a hat-trick in a Europa League final says he’s happy for his team’s triumph.
“One of the best nights of my life. Amazing performance from the team, we did it, we did it, we did it! Not got much else to say but yeah fantastic.
“They do always say third time lucky, so yeah it is for us today [winning a final at the third attempt this season]. I’m just happy we won. We won today so yes very pleased.” Lookman said.
When asked if the team will party tonight, Lookman affirmed
“100%! We’ve got to celebrate, we made history tonight.”
The Nigerian striker is the sixth player to score a hat-trick in the final of a major UEFA competition, and the first since Jupp Heynckes in the 1975 UEFA Cup,
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