CHARLTON kid Ademola Lookman’s breathtaking hat-trick inflicted Bayer Leverkusen’s first defeat in FIFTY-TWO games to clinch the Europa League title.
The script had been written that Xabi Alonso’s German side, who went the entire league campaign unbeaten to lift the Bundesliga, would make it a double with victory in Dublin.
Yet former Addicks, Everton, Fulham and Leicester man Lookman, 26, clearly did not read it as he left Alonso and his invincibles stunned at the Aviva Stadium.
The former England Under-21 star broke the deadlock on 21 minutes, acting quickest to lash home Davide Zappacosta’s cross into the top corner.
His second on 26 minutes was a thing of beauty, as he cut in from the left and curled into the far corner.
Bizarrely, Alonso had begun the game without a recognised striker.
But even when bringing on top-scorer Victor Boniface, it made no difference as Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta side continued their dominance.
Leverkusen have come back in dramatic fashion in plenty of games this season to keep their unbeaten status intact.
But any hopes of that happening here were dashed when Lookman, who now plays internationally for Nigeria, blasted into the top corner with his weaker left foot with 15 minutes to go.
Lookman – known in the Premier League for his infamous botched Panenka for Fulham – became the first ever player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League final.
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Lookman goes from Panenka laughing stock to European hat-trick hero
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN will go down in Atalanta, and European football, folklore after his stunning Europa League final hat-trick vs Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman’s treble was the first in the final of a Uefa competition since 1975.
But some Premier League fans won’t have believed their eyes – after witnessing his infamous Panenka miss for Fulham.
Lookman was spotted playing Sunday league in Lambeth by Charlton just TEN YEARS ago, at the age of 16.
Just one year later, in 2015, he was already the Addicks’ best player, shining on the wing in the Championship.
And before he knew it, Lookman was a Premier League player after a massive £11million move to Everton.
Lookman, now 20, made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City.
He even won the U20s World Cup with England, netting three goals in the tournament.
But he struggled to earn regular football with the Toffees, before defying boss Sam Allardyce’s wishes by snubbing a loan to Derby to push through a move to RB Leipzig instead.
Lookman impressed in the Bundesliga with five goals and earned a permanent move.
But he again failed to settle and soon found himself back in the Prem on loan with Fulham
His spell at Craven Cottage saw moments of brilliance overshadowed by costly mistakes.
None more so than his ill-fated Panenka penalty against West Ham.
Lookman’s scuffed chipped effort dropped tamely into motionless Lukasz Fabianski’s waiting hands, leading to widespread criticism and ridicule from fans and pundits alike.
A loan at Leicester followed but it was a switch to Atalanta in Serie A which saw Lookman finally fulfil his potential.
Now playing international football for Nigeria, he helped them reach the Afcon final earlier this year.
But he didn’t have to wait long to add his first senior trophy as the undisputed man-of-the-match in Dublin against the previous unbeatable Leverkusen.
And Atalanta won their second EVER trophy – some 61 years after their first, the Coppa Italia.
To do so by beating a team who have gone the entire season unbeaten up until this point is even more impressive.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for Leverkusen who now have a chance to right their wrongs in the German Cup final this weekend.
They face second division side FC Kaiserslautern in the final on Saturday – a game that would still crown them undefeated domestic double winners.
Although it’s time to knuckle down and focus for Leverkusen, it’s time to celebrate for Atalanta.
And star of the show Lookman made it clear his intentions are to celebrate the superb win after labelling it as one of the best nights of his life.
Speaking after the game, he said: “One of the best nights of my life. Amazing performance by the team and we did it. Not got many words to say!”
He added: “We’ve got to celebrate, we made history tonight.”
Lookman, who just 10 years ago was discovered playing Sunday League by Charlton Athletic, has now etched his name in European history.
And The Addicks were keen to point out their part in his rise with a post on social media.
It read: “The first ever player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final! 🤩 Made in Charlton ❤️”.
READ HOW IT HAPPENED…
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
