Bayer Leverkusen's Unbeaten Run Ends in Europa League Final
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman Scores Stunning Hat-Trick to Secure Victory
Leverkusen's 51-Game Streak Snapped in Dramatic Fashion
Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable 51-game unbeaten run across all competitions has come to an end in heart-breaking fashion as Ademola Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick to lead Atalanta to a 3-0 victory in the 2024 UEFA Europa League Final on May 22nd. Lookman, who joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack. The Nigerian forward doubled his tally shortly after the hour mark, expertly curling a free-kick into the top corner. Leverkusen, who had not lost a game since October 2023, struggled to break down Atalanta's resolute defense and fell further behind in the 75th minute when Lookman completed his hat-trick with a powerful header. The win marks Atalanta's first major trophy since their Coppa Italia triumph in 1963 and caps an incredible season for the Bergamo-based club, who finished sixth in Serie A. For Leverkusen, the defeat ends their hopes of a historic quadruple and leaves manager Xabi Alonso with plenty to ponder as he looks to rebuild his squad for next season.
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