Ademola Lookman, the dynamic Super Eagles forward, has etched his name in history by joining his compatriots Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo in the elite club of Nigerian footballers who have scored in a Europa League final.
lookman’s Historic Hat Trick
Playing for Atalanta, Lookman became only the third Nigerian to score in a Europa League final, achieving this feat with a spectacular hat trick against Bayer Leverkusen. The match, held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, saw Lookman lead his team to a memorable victory, scoring in the 12th, 26th, and 75th minutes. His exceptional performance fueled Atalanta’s ambitions and secured their triumph, making him a national hero.
Nigerians in Europa League Finals
Before look man’s remarkable achievement, only two other Nigerians had scored in the finals of Europe’s second-tier competition:
Alex Iwobi
The first was Alex Iwobi, who scored for Arsenal against Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final. Iwobi came off the bench in the 65th minute and scored just two minutes later, pulling one back for the Gunners. Despite his effort, Arsenal suffered a 4-1 defeat to their London rivals in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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Joe Aribo
Joe Aribo followed in Iwobi’s footsteps, scoring for Rangers in the 2022 final against Eintracht Frankfurt. Aribo’s goal came in the 57th minute, giving Rangers the lead. However, Frankfurt equalized 12 minutes later, and the match eventually went to penalties, where the German side emerged victorious.
lookman’s Unique Achievement
Unlike Iwobi and Aribo, who experienced the heartbreak of defeat despite scoring, Lookman found the net and lifted the trophy. His hat trick led Atalanta to a glorious win, marking him as the first Nigerian to score and win a Europa League final.
Lookman’s achievement is a testament to his skill and determination, solidifying his place among the greats of Nigerian football.
