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Forgotten Prem star 'sends Xhaka to a retirement home' with genius moment

22 May 2024 , 20:02
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The star
The star's performance killed off Leverkusen's chances

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN dented Bayer Leverkusen's undefeated hopes and Granit Xhaka's ego in one fell swoop in the Europa League final.

The Atalanta star pulled off a superb bit of skill before dispatching a stunning goal to put his side 2-0 up just 26 minutes into the final.

Ademola Lookman tore apart Granit Xhaka with a superb bit of skill in the Europa League final eiqtiqehidqrprw
Ademola Lookman tore apart Granit Xhaka with a superb bit of skill in the Europa League finalCredit: AFP
Lookman charged at Xhaka with the ball
Lookman charged at Xhaka with the ballCredit: TNT SPORTS
He shifted the ball straight through Xhaka's legs
He shifted the ball straight through Xhaka's legsCredit: TNT SPORTS
The skill opened up a pocket of space and Lookman took full advantage, putting his side 2-0 up
The skill opened up a pocket of space and Lookman took full advantage, putting his side 2-0 upCredit: TNT SPORTS
Fans have torn into Granit Xhaka online
Fans have torn into Granit Xhaka onlineCredit: Getty

Lookman had already put the Italian's 1-0 up after 11 minutes and added his brace to put his side well and truly in the driver's seat.

It was his second goal that caught the eye though with the former Leicester and Charlton attacker putting the ball through Granit Xhaka's legs to set up the chance.

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Lookman shifted his weight perfectly to see the ball roll through the ex-Arsenal midfielder's legs and tee up a long-distance effort.

He then struck the ball with some serious venom to find the bottom corner and net past Matej Kovar.

Fans couldn't believe the brilliance of the move and took to social media to berate Xhaka for his defensive efforts.

One wrote: "Lookman’s sent Xhaka to a retirement home there."

While another added: "Lookman just sent Xhaka back to Arsenal."

A third joked: "Granit Xhaka has brought his inner Arsenal this game."

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And a fourth chimed in, writing: "Xhaka is having the stinkiest stinkers ever."

Lookman went on to add a third goal to seal a European final hat-trick and a 3-0 victory for Atalanta - single-handedly winning his side the Europa League.

Atalanta's victory puts an end to Leverkusen's dreams of completing an undefeated treble and etching their name into the history books.

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Xabi Alonso's side already wrapped up the Bundesliga without losing a game this season - finishing 17 points ahead of second place Stuttgart and 18 points ahead of Bayern Munich in third.

And Leverkusen could win the German cup this weekend when they face second division side FC Kaiserslautern in the final on Saturday.

But that dream of an unbeaten treble is now over after they slipped on the biggest stage and failed to lift the first European trophy for the club in over 35 years.

Lookman bagged a hat-trick as Atalanta won the Europa League
Lookman bagged a hat-trick as Atalanta won the Europa LeagueCredit: AP
Leverkusen saw their unbeaten treble hopes come to an end
Leverkusen saw their unbeaten treble hopes come to an endCredit: Reuters

Joshua Hall

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