Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman delivered a moment of brilliance on Friday night at the Gewiss Stadium, scoring a dramatic late winner to secure Atalanta a 2-1 victory over AC Milan.
La Dea controlled much of the first half but, despite taking an early lead, went into the half-time break level.
Atalanta continued to dictate play in the second half, yet struggled to find the decisive breakthrough. Lookman twice came close in the 79th and 86th minutes, but saw both efforts saved by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Just when it seemed the match was destined to end in a stalemate, Atalanta delivered a late twist. In the 87th minute, a well-placed corner was flicked on by Saeed Kolasinac, finding Lookman at the far post, and he headed home to secure the dramatic victory.
The Nigeria forward's decisive contribution not only sealed an important win for his side, but also reinforced his growing reputation as a strong contender for the CAF Player of the Year award.
It also elevated La Dea to the summit of the standings with 34 points.
In numbers: Lookman’s match-winning performance
Lookman showcased his quality in Atalanta’s victory, leaving a lasting impact before being substituted in the 89th minute for Marco Brescianini.
He registered three shots on target, including his match-winning strike, alongside one off-target effort and a blocked attempt.
With 50 touches and a passing accuracy of 79% (19 successful passes from 24 attempts), he was integral to Atalanta’s attacking flow.
He also created one key pass, won four of 11 ground duels, and was perfect in the air, winning his sole aerial challenge. He was deservedly named the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Lookman has been a standout performer for Gian Piero Gasperini's side this season, contributing to 12 goals in 12 Serie A games. He has scored eight goals and provided four assists, averaging 69 minutes per match.
