Ademola Lookman’s Champions League record under the radar following Club Brugge penalty miss

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Olajade Lookman, set a new record in the UEFA Champions League when his side were knocked out of the tournament on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old missed the first leg of the tie due to a knee injury and could only make play the second half of the home leg at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

La Dea got knocked out after losing the tie on an aggregate score of 5-2, but Lookman’s new record went under the radar as several things unfolded after the game.

Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet stops a penalty taken by Ademola Lookman during the game between Atalanta and Club Brugge KV, on Tuesday 18 February 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

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The former Fulham striker scored off the bench to pull one back for Gasperini’s side after a horrendous 3-0 halftime score. It took the Super Eagles star just 34 seconds on the field to find the net.

The goal was the fastest-ever to be scored by a second-half substitute in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring goal during Atalanta BC vs Club Brugge, Knockout phase play-offs of Champions League game at Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, Italy, on February 18, 2025. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
However, the night was sour for the best African player after he saw his spot kick saved from twelve yards by Liverpool’s former goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet.

After the game, Atalanta head coach, Giant Piero Gasperini labelled Lookman as the worst penalty taker he’s ever seen, having initially placed the Nigerian as the third-choice spot-kick taker in the team, behind Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui.

Ademola Lookman penalty saved by Simon Mignolet during the Uefa Champions League match between Atalanta and Club Brugge, February 18 , 2025. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Gasperini’s harsh words saw Lookman publish a response on social media, hitting back at his coach and explaining it was unfair to be singled out for the blame of the defeat that fell on the shoulders of the whole team.

It is now highly anticipated that the former Everton winger will leave the 2024 UEFA Europa League winners in the summer as his contract runs out in the summer of 2026.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

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