Player ratings as Ademola Lookman hat-trick decides Europa League final

Atalanta won their first major trophy in 61 years on Wednesday evening when they beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final.

The Serie A side, who lost the Coppa Italia final last week, ended Leverkusen’s remarkable 51-game unbeaten run and claimed their first piece of European silverware thanks to a remarkable hat-trick from Ademola Lookman.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side outfought and outclassed the Bundesliga champions, with their triumph securing them Champions League football next season.

How the game unfolded

There were palpable nerves among the Leverkusen players in the early stages and their slack start was punished after just 12 minutes. Davide Zappacosta found acres of space as he drove into the penalty area, cutting back for former Everton forward Lookman to fire home from close range.

Leverkusen continued to struggle with Atalanta’s intense press and another turnover helped Gasperini’s side into a two-goal lead. It was Lookman who found the back of the net once again with a remarkable strike, nutmegging Granit Xhaka and curling a stunning effort into Matej Kovar’s bottom corner.

Xabi Alonso’s side weren’t able to create many clear-cut chances throughout the first half but their best opportunity fell to Alex Grimaldo. The Spaniard was released down the left-hand side and attempted to lob Juan Musso, but his effort was comfortably claimed by the Atalanta stopper.

Atalanta came close to adding a third just before the half-time whistle following a swift counter-attack, but Charles De Ketelaere’s near-post strike was well held by a grateful Kovar.

Despite Alonso bringing a natural centre-forward on to the pitch in Victor Boniface, Leverkusen found it tough to break down an Atalanta side defending with incredible gusto. Jeremie Frimpong had their first opening after the restart, but couldn’t keep his volley down from inside the area.

But it was Atalanta who would grab the decisive third goal of the game as Lookman fired the Italian side to glory. The English-born attacker was released by Gianluca Scamacca on the break, taking it on to his left foot and arrowing a stunning shot into the top corner.

Leverkusen continued to push for a goal to make things nervy late in the game but they couldn’t slice open a resolute Atalanta defence, with Gasperini’s men handing them their first defeat of the season en route to the Europa League trophy.

GK: Juan Musso – 7/10 – Seldom tested and…