By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Night of Wednesday, 22 May, 2024 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland belongs to Ademola Lookman and Atalanta.
The mercurial Super Eagles of Nigeria striker scored three marvellous goals in what a football commentator at the match described as “the greatest night of his life”.
It was the first time Bayer Leverkusen were beaten for the entire season.
Lookman scored in the 14th minute with a tap in, scored the second in the 24th with an absolute belter outside the box to give Atalanta a 2-0 lead in the first half. He scored the third in the 76th with a left-footed half volley.
Lookman made history becoming the first man to score a hat-trick in the Europa League final since it became a one-legged affair.
It was a first continental trophy for Atalanta who also became the first Italian team to win the Europa League
Fittingly, Lookman was named the Man of the Match and he also went home with the match ball.
