DUBLIN: Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable run came to a crashing halt as they were thoroughly outplayed by Italy’s Atalanta in the Europa League Final. The Italians’ hero was London-born Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman with a hat-trick after 12, 26 and 75 minutes.

Leverkusen, newly-crowned German champions, had been unbeaten in all their previous 51 matches across all competitions this season but the spirit which had brought some dramatic comebacks along the way was lacking.

Atalanta seized aggressive control of the match from the kickoff and were rewarded were their first major trophy in 61 years. They are only the fifth club ever to win a European trophy without having ever once been national champions.

Celebration time for Ademola Lookman after his second goal

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta seized aggressive control of the match from the kickoff and were rewarded were their first major trophy in 61 years.

Lookman, a former Charlton Athletic winger, placed his opening goal in the top corner from Davide Zappacosta’s cutback and nutmegged Granit Xhaka before bending a superb shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards for his second. Lookman’s third was equally good after he fooled Edmond Tapsoba with a step-over before completing his hat-trick.

He is the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a European final and the first since Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1975 UEFA Cup final. Victory more than made amends for three Coppa Italia final defeats under Gasperini, including last week to Juventus.

Leverkusen had their moments: Alex Grimaldo had a chip shot saved and Xhaka missed a golden opening. Leverkusen were also denied a penalty in the final minute by VAR but could have no complaints at the outcome.

Alonso must now pick his team up quickly for Saturday’s German Cup final against second-tier Kaiserslautern in Berlin as they pursue a domestic double.

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