Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE: Ademola Lookman hat-trick wins Europa League final for Italian side
Atalanta triumphed in Dublin to end a 61-year wait for silverware
Atalanta triumphed in the Europa League final and ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten streak.
In a display nearing perfection Gian Piero Gasperini’s side put down a marker early in the game after winning a corner. The initial ball was cleared by Leverkusen, but David Zappacosta dribbled back into the box before picking out Ademola Lookman at the back post.
Lookman’s opener increased the confidence of Atalanta who pressed high with such intensity that Leverkusen had no answer. Lookman was a nightmare for defender Edmond Tapsoba and added a second by cutting inside and curling home a right-footed shot in the 26th minute.
He completed a spectacular hat-trick with a counterattack in the second half. Gianluca Scamacca fed him into the left side of the box and Lookman blasted his strike into the far, top corner.
Leverkusen’s resistance was over and Atalanta claimed their first ever European trophy.
Relive the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
FT Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Ademola Lookman made history with his hat-trick. His goals secured Atalanta their first ever European trophy and ended a 61-year-wait for the Italian club to win silverware.
What a night.
Full-time! Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
90+4 mins: Atalanta have done it! They are the new Europa League champions after a wonderful display to defeat Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.
Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick was defining and brings the Serie A side their first ever European trophy.
Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
90 mins: There’s four minutes of added time to play.
Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
87 mins: Schick goes down in the penalty area as Bayer Leverkusen continue to plug away in an attempt to score. They’ve been the team of late goals this season.
The penalty is initially waved away but VAR are looking at it.
Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
84 mins: Just a few minutes left in this match and Xabi Alonso is resigned it his fate. He makes a couple of changes for Leverkusen as Nathan Tella and Patrik Schick come on for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.
Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
81 mins: Ademola Lookman is the sixth player to score a hat-trick in the final of a major Uefa competition, and the first since Jupp Heynckes’ for Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1975 Uefa Cup.
Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
78 mins: Atalanta have been superb tonight and they’ve blown Bayer Leverkusen away. The Serie A side have dominated from the get-go with Ederson having a long-ranged shot stopped by the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Atalanta 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Lookman, 75’)
75 mins: Wow!
Leverkusen slowly make their way forward down the left but lose possession. Atalanta go forward on the counter and give the ball to Gianluca Scamacca.
He drives up the pitch before slipping a pass across to Ademola Lookman. Lookman drops his shoulder and dances around Tapsobe before drilling a perfect strike into the far top corner!
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
72 mins: Ademola Lookman has been singularly focused all evening. Everytime he gets the ball he drives at Edmond Tapsoba and looks to carry it into the box.
Twice that’s led to goals and he looks hungry for more. Time is running out for Leverkusen.
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