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
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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:
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
69 mins: Ally McCoist and Owen Hargreaves are on TNT Sports commentary duties and they’ve been raving about Atalanta’s pressing for close to 40 minutes.
It’s been so good to watch and the Serie A side have not allowed Leverkusen any time or space on the ball.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
66 mins: Zappacosta has been incredible down the right for Atalanta. He’s been up and down the line all night and still has energy in reserve.
A forward run sees him attempt to take on Exequiel Palacios but the Leverkusen defender blocks the cross.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
63 mins: Atalanta lose the ball on the edge of Leverkusen’s box but Scamacca slips and gives the ball away. The German side attempt to counter-attack quickly but Xhaka doesn’t get far before committing a foul.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
60 mins: An hour played and Atalanta still look extremely comfortable. Bayer Leverkusen’s supporters are loud and proud but they’re struggling to find moments to cheer at the minute.
Amine Adli sends a cross into the middle which drops to Frimpong. He goes for the volley but smokes the effort over the crossbar.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
57 mins: Frimpong is getting a bit more joy in this half and gets forward down the right. He works the ball into the penalty area but sends it straight into the hands of Juan Musso.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
54 mins: Frimpong and Ederson tussle on the right wing as the Leverkusen man looks to sprint into space. Ederson uses his strength and his body to ease Frimpong off the ball but it rolls out for a Leverkusen corner.
The set piece is swung into the box but gets dealt with easily enough.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
51 mins: Gian Piero Gasperini is animated and issuing instructions from the touch line. Gianluca Scamacce feeds a pass to Ademola Lookman who carries it into the penalty area again.
Firstly, Leverkusen close him down but Atalanta recover the ball from the clearance. Lookman receives it and flick Koopmeiners into the box.
He squares a pass but Edmond Tapsoba sticks out a leg and turns the ball wide of the nearest post.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
48 mins: Xabi Alonso wants his team to play higher up the pitch. Boniface looks for an optimistic forward pass but gets it wrong and sends the ball straight through to the goalkeeper.
Second half! Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen have been behind by two goals four times this season and haven’t lost. They’re on an unbeaten streak of 51 games so won’t be panicking just yet.
There’s been a couple of changes for both teams. Victor Boniface comes on to replace Josip Stanisic for Bayer Leverkusen with Saed Kolasinac being replaced Giorgio Scalvini.
HT Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Ademola Lookman is now the first African player to score twice in the final of a major Uefa competition.
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