Atalanta delivered a breathtaking second-half surge, scoring three times in just five minutes to stun Eintracht Frankfurt 3–0 at Deutsche Bank Park on matchday five of the UEFA Champions League league phase.

Frankfurt, buoyed by a solid 0–0 draw against Napoli in their previous outing, started brightly and created the first big chance after 11 minutes. Fares Chaibi tested Marco Carnesecchi with a powerful effort from outside the box, prompting a superb save from the Atalanta goalkeeper. Moments later, Robin Koch wasted another opportunity when he headed wide from close range.

Atalanta took time to settle, with their first meaningful effort coming in the 26th minute — a tame strike from Davide Zappacosta easily collected by Michael Zetterer. But the hosts survived a major scare 10 minutes before halftime, when Ademola Lookman’s shot crashed off the post, and Gianluca Scamacca’s rebound struck the same spot, leaving the match goalless at the break.

The visitors picked up where they left off after halftime, and while Zetterer denied Lookman early in the half, he could do nothing to stop the oncoming avalanche. On the hour mark, Lookman was left unmarked to volley in Charles De Ketelaere’s chipped cross, silencing the home crowd. Just two minutes later, Lookman turned creator, threading a superb pass for Ederson to slide the ball beneath the advancing Zetterer.

Frankfurt barely had time to regain composure before Atalanta struck again. In the 63rd minute, De Ketelaere pounced on a rebound after Scamacca’s effort cannoned off the underside of the bar, extending the lead to 3–0 and completing a devastating blitz.

Zetterer’s sharp save from Berat Djimsiti in the 69th minute prevented further damage, but the match was already out of reach. Atalanta saw out the remainder comfortably, sealing a fully-deserved victory.

Despite the emphatic win, Raffaele Palladino’s side remain outside the top eight automatic qualification spots for the Round of 16 on goal difference. They now face reigning world champions Chelsea on matchday six in a crucial decider.

Frankfurt, meanwhile, see their hopes of replicating their famous 1959/60 European Cup run fading fast. With just one win from five Champions League matches and back-to-back home defeats by margins of three or more goals, their path forward looks increasingly bleak.