Ademola Lookman netted a historic hat-trick to help Atalanta defeat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final in Dublin on Wednesday.
Lookman is now the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final.
Atalanta have won a first-ever European title and it is their first major trophy since 1963.
Also, Atalanta’s Win ended Bayer Leverkusen’s, recently crowned Bundesliga champions, 51-game unbeaten run.
Victor Boniface was introduced in the 46th minute while Nathan Tella came on in the 81st minute.
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Atalanta went into the game on the back of losing the Coppa Italia final to Juventus.
Leverkusen can still end the season on a high as they will take on Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final.
Lookman gave Atalanta the lead in the 12th minute as he poked home a cross from the right wing.
The Nigerian forward made it 2-0 on 26 minutes with a brilliant curler into the far corner.
Then with 15 minutes left Lookman added the third with a left foot volley into the roof of the net.
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41 Comments
That was a thrilling performance from Ademola Lookman. He’s been the in-form Super Eagle of late
African player of year
Fantastic display!Quality player!
Great exploits from Lookman he is very consistent and effective at the same time.
Leverkusen finally breakdown and that at the wrong time.
APOTY 24/25…all the way!
No shaking, let me not hear anything different – e no go easy for CAF!
And that the person Finidi had a problem with, benching him for Iheanacho and Dessers. Abeg Finidi, no try am oh!!!!
Congratulations LookMan
Lookman is the new Prince. At the moment, he is better than Victor Osimhen in both Club & Country level.
I have been saying how good Lookman has been for a while, just look back at my comments. This guy is hungry, at least he shows up more than Osimhen when it comes to deep into major competitions. He was on the fulham team scott parker got relegated because he just wanted to play defensively, the team barely scored when they had mitrovic. He was on the leicester team where he only came off the bench. He moved out of the premier league to better himself. He showed up for AFCON. Listen, the first African to score 3 times in a uefa final competition. That alone says enough.
I always say if you want to do well stay out of the premier league, but thats all Nigerian care about because thats all they watch and thats where the Nigerian community is, in the UK. Boniface, Tella was in the championship with burnley and now got a league title with Boniface in the bundesliga. I dont know if these Nigerians know but you can play in uefa competitions outside premier league. But no, all we got is a bottom table Nigerians that always seem to get relegated or near relegation. Aina and Awoniyi. Awoniyi been inured forever, even I was praising him. The SE team needs players with ambitions. Im tired of hearing the next Nigerian going to play for Chelsea. Is Mikel the sponsor? Mikel will ruin these players career. Not every Nigerian needs to play for Chelsea let alone the premier league
A hat trick by Lookman, in a final? Would’ve never happened in a premier league team, never. Watch you will soon hear tottenham or so wants lookman and then his career will drop. Dude is playing champions league next season
To those who thought his AFCON was a flash, he just delivered a banger.!
Lookman just created a massive record in one of the biggest stages in global football..
The first goal a poacher, the second a right curler, and the last a left footed screamer!
He really deserves the AFOTY!
While you pray Sebastian Haller Dortmond foes not beat Real Madrid.
That will spoil your excitement as Sebastian will have advantage over our own as Nations cup winner and Champions League winner with noticeable contributions in AFCON exploit.
Nice performance Lookman!!! But should learn to respect his coach whatever skin color the coach has.
Does not****
Sebastian doesn’t play the big matches for Dortmond. At best, he may be given a few minutes without any impact. How can such get the better of Lookman even if Madrid loses by a scandalous margin, which will not even happen by the way. Sebastian didn’t even have a better AFCON performance than Lookman. He won’t be in the shortlist.
Who scored the winning goal to secure CIV nations cup?
You can’t forget that individual contribution.
Plus if they beat Real Madrid in Champions League which is not the same grade with Europa, guy the dude has a chance not only being shortlisted.
A player who plays handful of games,regardless his teams achievements cannot win the African top individual award I’m afraid!
With all due respect except by fraud or magic could Haller win the AFOTY.
a striker with less goals than a defender, Ekong, in the last AFCON and hardly features in his club’s matches this season. Ain’t no way should be nominated for the top 10 if CAF is a serious organisation.
Top names for the award should be a Salah, Koussounou, Boniface and Lookman. Honourary mentions are Tapsoba and Kudus (for his individual stride). Being a vital clog to his national team and club season success with 3 finals, a title and personal best on goals and assists, unless things change in the future, Ademola Lookman is overwhelming favourite and should be rightfully crowned African footballer of the year.
Congrats to Him. He deserves his reign.
With all due respect except by fraud or magic could Haller win the AFOTY.
A striker with less goals than a defender, Ekong, in the last AFCON and hardly features in his club’s matches this season. Ain’t no way should Haller be nominated for the top 10 if CAF is a serious organisation.
Top names for the award should be a Salah, Koussounou, Boniface and Lookman. Honourary mentions are Tapsoba and Kudus (for his individual stride). Being a vital cog to his national team and club season success with 3 finals, a title and personal best on goals and assists, unless things change in the future, Ademola Lookman is overwhelming favourite and should be rightfully crowned African footballer of the year.
Congrats to Him. He deserves his reign.
Who is hella? A benchwarmer for bundesliga team that came distance 5th on the table? A team that won’t play next UCL except they win against RM which it’s near impossible to a player who score 4 goals at the just concluded AFCON, qualified his Atalanta team for next UCL and just scored hattrick in a second best European competition final? Lookman is by miles the best for next APOTY at the moment.
Kudus is best in Africa. Watch his goals against Freiburg and City
Taaa sharap there. Why do Ghanaians always like to embarrass themselves ?
Where did the goals land Kudus, Westham and Ghana? Abeg talk with sense.
I have been saying how good Lookman has been for a while, just look back at my comments. This guy is hungry, at least he shows up more than Osimhen when it comes to deep into major competitions. He was on the fulham team scott parker got relegated because he just wanted to play defensively, the team barely scored when they had mitrovic. He was on the leicester team where he only came off the bench. He moved out of the premier league to better himself. He showed up for AFCON. Listen, the first African to score 3 times in a uefa final competition. That alone says enough.
I always say if you want to do well stay out of the premier league, but thats all Nigerian care about because thats all they watch and thats where the Nigerian community is, in the UK. Boniface, Tella was in the championship with burnley and now got a league title with Boniface in the bundesliga. I dont know if these Nigerians know but you can play in uefa competitions outside premier league. But no, all we got is a bottom table Nigerians that always seem to get relegated or near relegation. Aina and Awoniyi. Awoniyi been inured forever, even I was praising him. Iwobi still lackluster. The SE team needs players with ambitions. Im tired of hearing the next Nigerian going to play for Chelsea. Is Mikel the sponsor? Mikel will ruin these players career. Not every Nigerian needs to play for Chelsea let alone the premier league
A hat trick by Lookman, in a final? Would’ve never happened in a premier league team, never. Watch you will soon hear tottenham or so wants lookman and then his career will drop. Dude is playing champions league next season
Thank you for this. I once told someone that Oshimen will finish himself if he goes to Chelsea next season. Even arsenal is better but with guardiola in England arsenal can not win the league.
The best place is PSG. They are playing champions league and they will the double at home. Go there and build your trophy cabinet. Score lots of goals. Do the impossible for PSG by winning them the champions league.
Aina and awoniyi should go out and play for top teams in other leagues.
The Lookman show.
Looking like Lookman.
Keep on looking.
Lookman has really be consistent this year best Nigeria player in afcon after ekong ,helping Atalanta to champions league football next season now winning the Europa if the African footballer of the year is to be given now l think he deserves it
Damn Lookman could have won the Cipa Italia, Afcon, and this. Dude is a champion type football player and he also won the under20 WC with England. That coach just killed us in the Afcon final. World class performance.
Copa*
English strikers always dangerous if you give them chance especially blacks! Boniface is not inform but we understand his injury recovery. Finidi should chose fit players
Northgate is full of regrets this evening. He can’t believe what he missed. He might inquire with his FA or FIFA to see if there are any loopholes he can explore to “correct” his error in hindsight.
Hahaha!
Lookman baller extraordinaire…
Meanwhile Finidi George needs 7-homebased for SuperEagles….signed by Technical director Eguaveon a.k.a Chairman of Haters of Foreign born Naija foorballers…
Jimmyball. Finidi is already digging his grave of failure with his stupid 7 local players theory. They want to push players they can sell. Finidi needs to learn from his foolishness during the last friendly games. We will wait and see his disgrace soon. I just hope he doesn’t stop our super eagles from playing at the world cup.
Hahahahaha……and what is wrong with that….? Are there not “many talents” in the NPFL anymore….LMAOoo?
The next AFOTY.
The best in the World this year. Lookman is the real man oooooooooooooo.
What a difference it makes when a player can use both feet.
Look at that 3rd goal. The defender covered his right. He did a step over, moved the ball to his left, and slammed the ball home! For a one leg player, that would not be an option, AND THE CHANCE IS GONE. OTILO.
Otu ukwu players, learn how to use both feet. It will make you a much better player. You are professionals, after all.
Joseph Atule of Eyimba can also use both feet. He has been burning down the NPFL like a house on fire. He will be a tough competition for Lookman.
Hehehehe!
I look forward to seeing him in the next SE list.
SA and Benin don enter one chance.
Meanwhile Finid George has Replaced Troost Ekong as Captain and Handed the Armband to Omeruo because of Seniority.. E don Start ooooo… @omo9ja Dem… Una don win oooo.. Super Eagles will be back to Super Chickens soon.