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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
HT Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Ademola Lookman is the third Nigerian player to score in the final of a major UEFA competition, after Alex Iwobi (2019 Europa League) and Joe Aribo (2022 Europa League).
HT Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Half-time! Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
45+2 mins: The whistle goes to end a perfect half for Atalanta in Dublin. They were the underdogs coming into the match but have proven to be a more direct and well-drilled team in the opening 45 minutes.
Bayer Leverkusen have plenty of work to do in the second half.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
45 mins: Granit Xhaka has a go for goal from a long way but fizzes the effort high and wide. There’s growing signs of frustration on the Bayer Leverkusen faces.
Two added minutes to play in the first half.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
39 mins: Is there a way back into this match for Bayer Leverkusen?
They’ve been outclassed, and have played poorly, in this first half. Atalanta are bossing the game and their intensity is a big factor in that. There’s hardly time for Leverkusen’s playmakers to think before they’re getting closed down.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
36 mins: Xabi Alonso has sent Victor Boniface out to warm up as Atalanta almost get Gianluca Scamacca free to run at goal. Leverkusen recover possession but Atalanta’s press is so strong that the Bunesliga champion struggle to get it out from the back.
33 mins: Florian Wirtz and Alejandro Grimaldo combine with a slick one-two to slip Grimaldo into space on the left side of the pitch. He meets the ball and looks to chip the goalkeeper who comes bombing off his line.
Juan Musso is way out of position but manages to cling onto the ball and stop the effort.
Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
29 mins: It was said in the build-up to this match that Atalanta need to take their chances to win this final. So far they have done and Xabi Alonso has work to do to turn this around for Bayer Leverkusen.
GOAL! Atalanta 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Lookman, 26’)
26 mins: What a goal!
Atalanta press high up the pitch and force a turnover after Matej Kovar boots the ball up to the centre forward. Atalanta quickly feed it to Ademola Lookman.
He dances inside of Granit Xhaka on the edge of the box before whipping a low, fizzing finish past Kovar into the far bottom corner.
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