Italy’s Atalanta BC beat Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win the 2024 UEFA Europa League title, according to France 24.
That was its first ever European trophy. Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman became the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final since 1975.
One of the best nights of my life. Amazing performance from the team. We’ve got to celebrate, we made history tonight.
He scored from close range in the 12th minute. Atalanta doubled their lead in the 26th minute. Lookman struck a low shot from the byline and beat Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
The player scored his third goal in the 75th minute, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League/UEFA Cup final since Germany’s Jupp Heynckes in the 1975 final for Borussia Monchengladbach.
It was the fourth time in seven Europa League play-off matches that Xabi Alonso’s side had lost 2-0 or more. Quickly rising to become one of Europe’s most successful coaches, Alonso rejected offers from former clubs Liverpool and Bayern Munich to remain at the BayArena the following season.
Despite his efforts to lead the team, Atalanta were able to withstand the Leverkusen pressure and go on the counter-attack.
Atalanta had previously lost all three of their previous finals under Gian Piero Gasperini. However, this time they perked up and made history.
In doing so, they became the first Italian team to win the tournament since Parma won the UEFA Cup in 1999.
