Europa League

Atalanta have done what no team had accomplished all season: they defeated Bayer Leverkusen. A historic Ademola Lookman hat trick vs Leverkusen paired with terrific defending was enough to secure Atalanta’s 3-0 victory and their first European trophy.

This was Atalanta’s first major trophy since winning the Coppa Italia in 1963. The Italian underdogs lost in the Coppa Italia final to Juventus this season but bounced back with an even larger reward.

LEVERKUSEN — Bayer Leverkusen staged a stunning late comeback to move into the Europa League final with a 2-2 draw at home against AS Roma on Thursday as they won 4-2 on aggregate and set the longest unbeaten run in all competitions including European matches.

Bundesliga champions Leverkusen, who have also reached this month's German Cup final as they chase a treble, played their 49th match without defeat to surpass Benfica's record set from 1963–65 but they had to battle for the second leg draw.

49 GAMES

With VAR’s introduction to the world of soccer it’s become incredibly rare when a goal that shouldn’t count stands. That was the case on Thursday with a failed offside call during Roma’s 1-0 victory vs. AC Milan in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals.

The peculiar situation happened in the first half when Roma sprung an attack through Romelu Lukaku who appeared to be in an offside position.

Lukaku offside vs Milan

Christian Pulisic opened the scoring in AC Milan’s 3-1 victory against Slavia Praha in the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday. Milan advanced to the quarterfinals 7-3 on aggregate with Pulisic scoring two of the goals in the tie.

The Pulisic goal vs Slavia Praha on Thursday came in the first half when Rafael Leão found the American open near top of the box. Pulisic was composed, evaded a defender and tucked away the finish into the bottom corner.

If you’ve already seen the Christian Pulisic goal from Thursday’s Europa League game between AC Milan and Slavia Praha, then you know we’re being sarcastic with our headline. 

Pulisic scored Milan’s fourth goal in a 4-2 victory at San Siro, but we’ll admit he may or may not have stolen a goal from Rafael Leão.

In the 85th minute Pulisic was involved in the build-up of what turned out to be a dazzling run and clever finish from Leão. Pulisic then helped it over the line at the last moment.

The internet is quick with the memes and joke videos.

Gio Reyna has found himself a new suitor in the January transfer window. This might be the one.

Gio Reyna to Fiorentina rumors

It has been reported that Serie A club Fiorentina have joined the race to sign Giovanni Reyna on loan this winter — joining the likes of Marseille and Nottingham Forest as some of the clubs who’ve reportedly been interested in the American in the past few weeks.

We apologize for the extra clickbaity headline, but we’re serious when we say few people can explain the disallowed Rennes goal vs. Villarreal from Thursday’s Europa League action.

For complete transparency, the author writing this story wasn’t part of the 5% of people who could correctly explain why this goal wasn’t counted upon first viewing. Not even CBS’ commentators understood the Rennes’ stoppage time equalizer mystery.

Before we give you the answer, watch the clip for yourself.

Rennes disallowed goal vs. Villarreal