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.
