Nigerian Forward Scores Hat-Trick in Club's Greatest European Night
Ademola Lookman was Atalanta's hat-trick hero on the club's greatest ever night in Dublin as the Serie A side stunned Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 in the Europa League last 32 first leg.
Lookman, 26, became the first Atalanta player to score three goals in a major European match as Gian Piero Gasperini's men took a giant stride towards the last 16.
The Nigerian international's treble came in the space of just 12 minutes in the second half, with Atalanta trailing 2-0 to goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Moussa Diaby.
Lookman pulled one back for Atalanta in the 55th minute with a fine finish from the edge of the area, before leveling the scores just seven minutes later with a header from close range.
The forward completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute with another close-range effort, giving Atalanta a famous victory in front of a sell-out crowd at the Aviva Stadium.
It was a stunning performance from Lookman, who has been in excellent form for Atalanta since joining from Leicester City in the summer.
The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals in all competitions for the Serie A side, including five in the Europa League.
Atalanta will now take a slender lead into the second leg of the tie, which will be played in Bergamo on March 16.
Gasperini's men will be confident of progressing to the last 16, especially after their impressive performance in Dublin.
Lookman will once again be key to Atalanta's hopes, and the Nigerian will be determined to add to his tally in the second leg.
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