Despite having his moment of glory overshadowed by a disappointing turn of events, Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman successfully carved his name into UEFA Champions League history on Tuesday night.

Lookman delivered a record-breaking goal for Atalanta, only to watch his night end in heartbreak, with his team crashing out of the tournament and his manager delivering a stinging rebuke, Footballrover reports.

Lookman sets new Champions League record in style

UEFA officially confirmed that Ademola Lookman became the first Nigerian player to score in four consecutive Champions League appearances, spanning from the group stage to the final.

The Atalanta forward, returning from a knee injury, marked his comeback with a crucial goal against Club Brugge in their second-leg clash.

Lookman had previously found the net against VfB Stuttgart, Real Madrid, and Sturm Graz, playing a key role for the Serie A side as one of their best players.

His goal against Club Brugge briefly revived Atalanta’s hopes, cutting their aggregate deficit after a 2-1 first-leg loss.

However, their Champions League campaign ended in disappointment as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the Gewiss Stadium.

Missed penalty sparks controversy as Atalanta crashes out

Despite his milestone achievement, Ademola Lookman’s night took a bitter twist when he missed a crucial second-half penalty.

With Atalanta desperately chasing an equaliser, the Nigerian forward insisted on taking the spot kick, despite the presence of designated takers Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere.

His effort was denied by Club Brugge’s goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, a former Liverpool shot-stopper, dealing a severe blow to Atalanta’s comeback hopes.

The costly miss left Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini visibly frustrated, leading to a blunt post-match remark.

“Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini said. “He took the ball despite Retegui and De Ketelaere being available… I didn’t like what Lookman did.”

With their Champions League journey cut short, Atalanta will now turn their focus to domestic competitions, hoping to bounce back from a dramatic and emotional European exit.

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Last Updated on February 19, 2025 12:22 pm by footballrover