ADEMOLA LOOKMAN dented Bayer Leverkusen’s undefeated hopes and Granit Xhaka’s ego in one fell swoop in the Europa League final.
The Atalanta star pulled off a superb bit of skill before dispatching a stunning goal to put his side 2-0 up just 26 minutes into the final.
Lookman had already put the Italian’s 1-0 up after 11 minutes and added his brace to put his side well and truly in the driver’s seat.
It was his second goal that caught the eye though with the former Leicester and Charlton attacker putting the ball through Granit Xhaka’s legs to set up the chance.
Lookman shifted his weight perfectly to see the ball roll through the ex-Arsenal midfielder’s legs and tee up a long-distance effort.
He then struck the ball with some serious venom to find the bottom corner and net past Matej Kovar.
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Fans couldn’t believe the brilliance of the move and took to social media to berate Xhaka for his defensive efforts.
One wrote: “Lookman’s sent Xhaka to a retirement home there.”
While another added: “Lookman just sent Xhaka back to Arsenal.”
A third joked: “Granit Xhaka has brought his inner Arsenal this game.”
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Lookman’s career so far
A look at Ademola Lookman’s up -and-down career so far…
2015 – 2017: Charlton Athletic
Apps: 49
Goals: 12
Assists: 3
2017 – 2019: Everton
Apps: 48
Goals: 4
Assists: 2
2018 – 2022: RB Leipzig (including one-year loan in 2018)
Apps: 24
Goals: 5
Assists: 4
2020 – 2021: Fulham (loan)
Apps: 35
Goals: 4
Assists: 4
2021 – 2022: Leicester (loan)
Apps: 42
Goals: 8
Assists: 5
2022 – present: Atalanta
Apps: 75
Goals: 30
Assists: 16
And a fourth chimed in, writing: “Xhaka is having the stinkiest stinkers ever.”
Lookman went on to add a third goal to seal a European final hat-trick and a 3-0 victory for Atalanta – single-handedly winning his side the Europa League.
Atalanta’s victory puts an end to Leverkusen’s dreams of completing an undefeated treble and etching their name into the history books.
Xabi Alonso’s side already wrapped up the Bundesliga without losing a game this season – finishing 17 points ahead of second place Stuttgart and 18 points ahead of Bayern Munich in third.
And Leverkusen could win the German cup this weekend when they face second division side FC Kaiserslautern in the final on Saturday.
But that dream of an unbeaten treble is now over after they slipped on the biggest stage and failed to lift the first European trophy for the club in over 35 years.
Lookman goes from Panenka laughing stock to European hat-trick hero
By Matt Heath-Smith
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN is 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 playing Sunday league in Lambeth at the age of 16, when he was spotted by a Charlton scout.
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
