Ademola Lookman has written himself into Atalanta folklore as he ended Bayer Leverkusen's 51-game unbeaten streak in the Europa League final.

The Charlton academy graduate scored a brilliant hat-trick in their 3-0 win at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to fire the Italian outfit to their first trophy in over 60 years.

Atalanta are Europa League champions after beating Leverkusen 3-0 in DublinCredit: AFP

Just a week after their defeat to Juventus in the Coppa Italia final, Atalanta have finally got their hands on silverware for the first time since 1963.

And they have Lookman to thank, with the 26-year-old becoming the first player in Europa League history to score a treble in a final.

Gian Piero Gasperini's men went into Thursday night's clash as the underdogs following Leverkusen's stunning season so far.

The German giants have scooped their first Bundesliga crown, and had hopes of completing a historic Invincible treble season with the DFB-Pokal final on the horizon.

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But they fell behind in the 12th minute in Ireland's capital, with Lookman finding the back of the net from close range.

He then embarrassed ex-Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka by nutmegging the Swiss international, before curling an effort into the far corner just before the half-hour mark.

Xabi Alonso's side have specialised in dramatic comebacks this season to keep their undefeated record intact, but Lookman ended all hopes of a turnaround in the 75th minute.

The London-born Nigeria international drove into the box, where he skipped passed Edmond Tapsoba before lashing home into the top right corner.

Lookman scored a hat-trick in Atalanta's win over LeverkusenCredit: Getty
He has helped fire Atalanta to their first trophy since 1963Credit: Getty
The former Charlton forward has become the first player to score a treble in a Europa League finalCredit: Getty
Former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka has now lost in two Europa League finalsCredit: Getty
Alonso's Leverkusen have finally suffered their first defeat of the seasonCredit: Getty

Lookman has now become the first player to score a hat-trick in the final of a major UEFA competition since Jupp Heynckes' treble in the 1975 UEFA Cup final for Borussia Monchengladbach.

And it was his heroics that have seen Atalanta become the first Italian side to win the Europa League.

Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong gives amazing reaction to yet another late goal for the German club that carries on their record breaking unbeaten run

Speaking to TNT Sports, Lookman said: "One of the best nights of my life.

"Amazing performance from the team, we did it, we did it, we did it! Fantastic.

"They do always say third time lucky, so yeah it is for us today [winning a final at the third attempt this season].

"I'm just happy we won. We won today so yes very pleased.

"100 per cent [we're partying tonight]! We've got to celebrate, we made history tonight."

Atalanta's triumph in Dublin has also seen Gasperini finally scoop his first trophy of his 21-year managerial career.

He had previously lost three times in the Coppa Italia final with Atalanta, but has finally struck gold at the fourth time of asking.

As for Leverkusen, they will have to dust themselves off quickly and get over their heartbreak ahead of Saturday's DFB-Pokal final.

Lookman took the acclaim of his teammates following the full-time whistleCredit: AFP
Leverkusen will have to dust themselves off ahead of their next finalCredit: Getty
Atalanta's celebrations will continue long into the nightCredit: Getty

Leverkusen face German second-tier outfit Kaiserslautern, where they will be hoping for one more trophy to cap off an incredible season.

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The club's transformation has been nothing short of sensational since Alonso's appointment midway through the 2022/23 season, with Leverkusen sitting second bottom in the Bundesliga.

But they were second best against Atalanta, who deservedly were crowned as Europa League champions.

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