Ademola Lookman is Bayer Leverkusen’s kryptonite! Atalanta star singlehandedly routs Xabi Alonso’s incredible unbeaten run with outstanding hat-trick to deliver Europa League glory

• Atalanta beat Alonso’s side to win Europa League
• Ademola Lookman the hero with stunning hat-trick
• Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run ends

Atalanta started on the front foot and took the lead after just 12 minutes with a fine goal. Teun Koopmeiners sent Davide Zappacosta scampering forwards and he was able to deliver a low ball into the penalty area that evaded everyone until it was fired into the top corner by an unmarked Lookman at the far post. The Italians continued to threaten and fully deserved a second before the half-hour mark. Lookman picked up a loose ball, nutmegged Granit Xhaka and then curled a gorgeous effort past goalkeeper Matej Kovar.

Leverkusen, who came into the match on a 51-game unbeaten streak, looked stunned but simply couldn’t find a response. Juan Musso came out bravely to claim a ball aimed at Alejandro Grimaldo but otherwise was barely troubled by Alonso’s side.

Indeed it was left to Lookman to finish Leverkusen off with his best goal of the night to seal his hat-trick. The winger received the ball out wide on the left, shifted it past Edmond Tapsoba and then rifled an unstoppable rising shot into the roof of the net to win the Europa League for Atalanta.

Lookman scored more goals in the Europa League final (3) than he managed in three seasons in the Premier League with Everton (1). The former Charlton man is also the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975.

It needed something special to finally beat Leverkusen and Lookman was the man to provide the magic in Dublin. The former Charlton man simply ran past Exequiel Palacios to emphatically slot home the opener before wowing the crowd with his second goal. Leverkusen were sloppy in the moments before Lookman picked up possession, but he went on to show great skill to slip the ball between Xhaka’s legs and then give Kovar absolutely no chance with a wonderful curling strike. Lookman then saved his best for last with a sensational winner that nearly took the net off and ensured he went home with the Europa League trophy and the match ball. Simply a dream night for the 26-year-old.

Leverkusen’s incredible unbeaten run is finally over after 51 games without defeat. The extraordinary streak brought a first Bundesliga title but was not enough to secure Europa League glory for Xabi Alonso’s side as Atalanta deservedly picked up the trophy. Leverkusen’s hopes of an unprecedented unbeaten season are now over but it’s certainly been an incredible ride for fans and a season that will go down in history despite Wednesday’s defeat.

Atalanta will now celebrate winning their first trophy since 1963 and a maiden European triumph. Leverkusen, meanwhile, will have to bounce back quickly as they play in the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday against Kaiserslautern and will hope to complete a league and cup double.