Lookman makes Champions League history with 35-second goal as 'first Nigerian' despite Atalanta heartbreak

In a dramatic match that saw Atalanta exit the UEFA Champions League, Ademola Lookman made history by becoming the first Nigerian player to score in four consecutive Champions League appearances.

His remarkable achievement came despite the club's shock 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge in the second leg of their playoff on Tuesday night.

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Lookman, returning from injury, made an immediate impact after coming off the bench at halftime, scoring just 35 seconds into his return.

However, the night took a turn for the worse when he stepped up to take a decisive penalty in the second half.

With Atalanta trailing 5-2 on aggregate and desperate for a comeback, Lookman took responsibility for the penalty kick ahead of teammates Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere but unfortunately failed to convert.

This miss allowed Brugge to maintain their lead and ultimately secure qualification to the round of 16, marking a historic moment as they became the first Belgian team to advance this far in the Champions League era.

Despite this setback, Lookman's scoring record has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Atalanta.

His achievement of scoring in four successive Champions League matches highlights his growing reputation as one of Africa's most talented forwards.

However, Lookman's performance has not gone without controversy. Following the match, Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini criticised him harshly for his penalty miss. Gasperini stated:

"Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. He took the ball despite Retegui and De Ketelaere being available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did."

This tirade has drawn significant backlash from Nigerian fans and football supporters who have rallied around Lookman, calling Gasperini's comments disrespectful and unjustified.

Many fans have taken to social media to express their support for Lookman, urging him to consider his future at Atalanta amidst such criticism.