Atalanta defeat Leverkusen to win Europa League

AFP

An Ademola Lookman hat-trick clinched Atalanta the Europa League with a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, ending the German champions' remarkable unbeaten streak.

Lookman, who struggled to establish himself in the English Premier League with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City before reviving his career in Italy under Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, struck twice inside the first 26 minutes before sealing the win 15 minutes from full time.

The victory ended Gasperini's own two-decade long pursuit of major silverware as his side totally outmatched Xabi Alonso's formidable Leverkusen side - or 'Neverlusen' as they had been dubbed after going an incredible 51 games unbeaten.

Just as they did against Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and three-times finalists Olympique de Marseille in the previous two rounds, Atalanta didn't give their opponents a sniff to mark their first European final with a famous victory.

The win is Atalanta's second major trophy in their 117-year history.

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