Ademola Lookman scored all three goals as Atalanta stopped the clock on Bayer Leverkusen's extraordinary 51-game unbeaten run, and brought 66-year-old coach Gian Piero Gasperini the first major trophy of his long career.
Playing with fire, Atalanta pressed high from the off and with Leverkusen's danger men making a cold start in unseasonably chilly conditions, the Italian side were ahead after 12 minutes.
Played in brilliantly by Teun Koopmeiners, Davide Zappacosta delivered an angled ball back across the box that eluded two of his team-mates, but not the lurking Ademola Lookman, who crashed in a shot at the far post. The No11 needed no assistance for his second on 26 minutes, weaving his way to the edge of the box and smashing a low effort past the exposed Matĕj Kovář.
and while the lively Jeremie Frimpong probed diligently for weak spots, Xabi Alonso's side did not look like a team who were unbeaten in 51 games. The only consolation at the break was that it could have been worse, Kovář saving well from Charles De Ketelaere on 43 minutes.
Victor Boniface was introduced at the break, and with Atalanta sitting a little deeper, Leverkusen smouldered to life, Frimpong blazing a loose ball over just before the hour mark. However, Atalanta maintained their threat, and Gianluca Scamacca played in Lookman on 75 minutes, the Nigerian steadying himself before blasting past Kovář.
Leverkusen's reputation for late goals ensured that Atalanta could never be entirely comfortable, even at 3-0 up, but even this remarkable side could not find an escape route this time.
Hankook Player of the Match: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
"For obvious reasons and his all-round enthusiasm and energy. Really sharp and his execution was spot on."
UEFA Technical Observer Panel
Reporter verdict: Paolo Menicucci, Atalanta
They did it in style. Atalanta won their first ever European trophy after an absolutely brilliant performance against German champions Leverkusen. Sorry to say, but if you were surprised by this performance, you have not been paying enough attention this term. Just ask Liverpool or Marseille, who both learned the hard way how good Gasperini's side have been this term. As for Lookman's performance: no words required.
Reporter verdict: Matthias Rötters, Leverkusen
Leverkusen's incredible run ended in their biggest game of the season. From the first minute, Atalanta used strength and guile to take Leverkusen's key men out of the game, and Xabi Alonso's side were never able to build up the kind of momentum that has defined their season. The 1988 UEFA Cup victory remains the only European trophy for the club from the Rhineland, who have the consolation of a return to the Champions League next year.
Reaction
Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta coach: "That was perhaps our peak in recent years. We've won it against top teams. We beat Sporting who are the Portuguese champions. We played Liverpool when they were top of the Premier League. We played Marseille who are a very good side, and tonight we beat the German champions. To have beaten such great sides adds gloss to our achievement."
Ademola Lookman, Atalanta forward: "These past two years I've been able to take my game to a whole new level. Maybe it could have come earlier, but it has come now. But this is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this and to just keep getting better and better."
Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen coach: "They were the better team. It's a consequence of the great thing that Gasperini has done. Atalanta are very brave. They don't mind being in one-on-one situations. When we had a slight chance to make a run, they defended very well. They have been doing it for many years. They're a special team. Normally we get in better positions with our game, but today we couldn't."
