Bayer Leverkusen finally beaten as Ademola Lookman fires Atalanta to Europa League glory

bayer leverkusen finally beaten as ademola lookman fires atalanta to europa league glory

The former Charlton winger bagged a hat-trick to break Leverkusen hearts (Picture: Getty)

Bayer Leverkusen’s astonishing run of 51 games unbeaten came to an end on Wednesday night as Atalanta ended their own 61-year wait for a trophy with an Ademola Lookman-inspired victory in the Europa League final.

The German champions arrived at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium as big favourites after winning the Bundesliga title for the first time in their 119-year history, dropping just 12 points in the process.

But their quest for an historic treble was thwarted by a bullish and energetic performance from Atalanta, who bounced back from last week’s Coppa Italia defeat against Juventus to claim their first-ever European trophy.

Lookman, once of Charlton Athletic, was the star of the show, with his blistering first-half brace setting the Italians on their way before he completed his hat-trick late on to secure a 3-0 win.

Leverkusen faced heavy pressure from the very start of the contest and looked as though they might still have been suffering a hangover from their weekend celebrations, where they were crowned unbeaten Bundesliga champions.

A number of uncharacteristically sloppy passes were pounced on by Atalanta’s high-pressing frontline, but they could not quite find a killer touch in the final third. That changed in the 12th minute.

Lookman swung in a deep corner, which was only half cleared, and Atalanta neatly recycled possession before Davide Zappacosta burst into the box and fired in a dangerous low cross. Lookman had snuck back into the penalty area and was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild scenes of celebration.

bayer leverkusen finally beaten as ademola lookman fires atalanta to europa league glory

Lookman powered Atalanta into the lead in the 12th minute (Picture: Getty)

bayer leverkusen finally beaten as ademola lookman fires atalanta to europa league glory

Lookman’s hat-trick secured a first trophy for Atalanta since 1963 (Picture: Getty)

Leverkusen still struggled to get a foothold in the game after going behind, particularly without an orthodox frontman, while Atalanta’s work rate and pressure was relentless.

Another errant pass from the Bundesliga champions produced Atalanta’s stunning second goal; The electric Lookman collected the loose ball, nutmegged Granit Xhaka and then lined up a rasping, curling shot that found the bottom corner.

It took until the 34th minute for Leverkusen to finally click in an attacking sense, with some excellent one-touch football releasing Alex Grimaldo, but he got his lob attempt all wrong despite Juan Musso being in no-man’s land.

bayer leverkusen finally beaten as ademola lookman fires atalanta to europa league glory

Lookman’s hat-trick goal was an astonishing finish (Picture: Getty)

bayer leverkusen finally beaten as ademola lookman fires atalanta to europa league glory

The full-time whistle prompted wild scenes of celebration (Picture: Getty)

Leverkusen had been in this position before – in fact, they conceded the first goal in 12 of their previous matches this season – and their astonishing record has been built as much as anything on resilience, grit and a proclivity for stoppage-time goals. Could they do it again?

Xabi Alonso brought on striker Victor Boniface at the break to try and change the flow of the match but Atalanta’s energetic pressure was still the defining factor. They were now countering with more confidence and precision, too, and Piero Hincapie was forced to make a vital clearance to keep his side in the contest.

Slowly Leverkusen’s possession started to tell, with Atalanta having to withstand longer and longer periods of sustained pressure, though the German side struggled to carve out any real chances of note.

Just as Atalanta fans might have been getting a little nervous, the tie was put to bed by Lookman. Another powerful tackle, another speedy break and suddenly the Nigeria international was one-on-one. He dropped a shoulder, pulled out a stepover, took a touch and rifled a thunderous left-footed effort into the top corner. Game over.

Even Leverkusen could not muster a comeback from three goals down with barely 10 minutes left on the clock and Alonso seemed to have one eye on Saturday’s DFB-Pokal Cup final as he withdrew a number of his star players.

For Atalanta, the win is the crowning achievement of manager Gian Piero Gasperini who masterminded a totally dominant display against Europe’s most in-form team. After 61 years, their trophy drought is finally over.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

OTHER NEWS

16 minutes ago

AC Milan join Newcastle and Man United in the race to sign £35m-rated Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as Serie A side hunt for a replacement for Olivier Giroud

16 minutes ago

Video: Our travel hell: Manchester Airport passengers reveal chaos they endured after 'two-hour' power cut forced chiefs to cancel more than 100 flights in desperate bid to clear huge 'bottlenecks'

16 minutes ago

Phil Foden reveals key change to England training after underwhelming start to Euro 2024 - as he admits Three Lions stars 'expect more from themselves' ahead of crunch Slovenia clash

16 minutes ago

Video: Smiling 'psychopath' Pickleball swindler scammed us out of $50M, wealthy retirees say - who claim his 'satanic' response when they finally confronted him left them speechless

16 minutes ago

Chelsea star commands 100 million after claim he's open to joining Bayern

16 minutes ago

Tommy Paul holds off Lorenzo Musetti to win Queen's Club title

16 minutes ago

BBC docu-series about Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne faces 'massive stumbling block'

16 minutes ago

ANC denies FF Plus demands over Orania independence

16 minutes ago

England shocked by Gary Lineker criticism following Denmark draw

16 minutes ago

Wealth really does improve health – and here's proof

16 minutes ago

David Beckham wants World Cup winner to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami after Man Utd exit

16 minutes ago

John Swinney tries to dismiss claims in stamps row

16 minutes ago

Euro 2024 viewers furious as ITV miss goal and show Cristiano Ronaldo tantrum instead

16 minutes ago

Road safety group demands end to learner permit loophole and tougher enforcement on disqualified drivers

16 minutes ago

Padraig Harrington is looking for a third straight Dick's Open title on Sunday

18 minutes ago

Tragic pilot with 'great laugh and brilliant smile' died in plane built with misaligned fin

23 minutes ago

Sha’Carri Richardson is headed to Paris after winning the women’s 100-meter at Olympic trials

25 minutes ago

​ Murder probe is launched in Dorset holiday park after man in his 70s was found unresponsive in the water: Two people are arrested

26 minutes ago

SilverStar Mountain Resort Bike Park turns 30

26 minutes ago

Hamilton ends F1 podium drought with third in Spain

26 minutes ago

All Blacks release own version of Chasing the Sun 2!

26 minutes ago

Arsenal star's dad hits out at Euro 2024 manager after surprise benching

26 minutes ago

Man Utd ‘approach’ Van Nistelrooy in Burnley hijack as ‘changes’ mooted by Fabrizio Romano

26 minutes ago

Gary Neville predicts the two changes Gareth Southgate will make to England team

26 minutes ago

Tory ‘blame game’ begins early as Jenrick and Patel float leadership bids

26 minutes ago

New York City turns retired power station into something incredible: 'Able to power more than 10,000 households'

26 minutes ago

The Guardian view on councils in need: voters should be told what the parties’ plans are

26 minutes ago

Cleverly says aide described Rwanda policy as 'crap' for 'dramatic effect'

29 minutes ago

‘This could have been anybody’s daughter’: Vigil held for Surrey homicide victim

30 minutes ago

Israel's military is investigating an incident in which a Palestinian was strapped to a vehicle

31 minutes ago

Three-bedroom home in San Fran hits the market for $490,000 - but there's a big catch

32 minutes ago

Highly touted prospect expected to join Flyers next season

32 minutes ago

Yankees acquire J.D. Davis from Athletics for Jordan Groshans

32 minutes ago

Recapping Dubois' Year With The Los Angeles Kings

32 minutes ago

Tartan Army parties ahead of match

32 minutes ago

England and Denmark fans agree

32 minutes ago

The best Portuguese players ever

32 minutes ago

Small boat crossings since Rishi Sunak became PM set to pass 50,000 within 24 hours

32 minutes ago

Derry can't fear anybody in last eight - Harte

32 minutes ago

‘This region is special, but even many French people don’t realise it exists’