Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman showcased his brilliance on the pitch once again, netting a stunning brace as Atalanta dismantled Empoli with an emphatic 5-0 victory in their Serie A clash on Sunday.
The Nigerian international, who had come under scrutiny from his manager Gian Piero Gasperini for missing a crucial penalty in Atalanta’s recent UEFA Champions League defeat to Club Brugge, responded in the best possible way—by delivering a world-class performance that silenced his critics.
Lookman got on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute after capitalizing on a well-timed assist from Mario Retegui. The forward displayed incredible composure as he rounded the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball into the net, marking Atalanta’s third goal of the match.
The Nigerian winger was far from done, as he doubled his tally in the second half with a breathtaking solo effort. Picking up the ball near the center circle, he drove forward with pace and precision before unleashing a perfectly placed left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
With this latest brace, Lookman has now recorded an impressive 17 goals and 7 assists in just 29 appearances across all competitions this season. His consistency in front of goal has made him a standout performer, and according to statistics from Opta, he is now the first player in the last three Serie A seasons to score more than ten goals in each campaign.
Atalanta had already taken the lead early in the match, courtesy of an own goal from Emmanuel Gyasi and a clinical finish from Mario Retegui. Lookman’s brace further cemented their dominance before Davide Zappacosta put the icing on the cake by netting the fifth goal after receiving a pinpoint assist from Mario Pasalic.
Lookman’s electrifying performance serves as a significant boost for the Nigerian national team ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. His current form will undoubtedly provide the Super Eagles with a formidable attacking threat as they look to secure their spot in the tournament.
With his confidence soaring and his goal-scoring instincts sharper than ever, Ademola Lookman continues to cement his status as one of Nigeria’s brightest footballing talents.