Arsenal star Declan Rice scored two incredible free-kicks to give the Gunners the advantage in their Champions League tie with Real Madrid.
The Gunners entered Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg at the Emirates as underdogs against 15-time winners and holders Real Madrid and produced a 3-0 win to put themselves firmly in control.
Declan Rice stole the show with his two remarkable free-kicks from outside the box before Mikel Merino continued his strong form by adding a third. Although it wasn’t just the goalscorers who impressed, the Gunners had many good performers such as William Saliba.
Despite the hosts dominating the xG and creating more big chances than Real Madrid in the first half, it took two moments of magic from Rice to put them ahead. He opened the scoring in the 58th minute before doubling Arsenal’s lead in the 70th with two extraordinary strikes.
After the statement victory, Rice has taken to social media to reflect on one of his best nights in red and white.
Declan Rice reacts to Real Madrid double
The Englishman posted on Instagram to celebrate Arsenal’s win, writing: “Half time. Special night,” with a red heart emoji on his stories.
The triumphant snap of him celebrating on the advertising hoardings at the side of the pitch was taken after his second free-kick.
Rice’s opener, which curled around the Real Madrid wall and out of Thibaut Courtois’ reach, was superb – but his second was even better. The visitors were surely on high alert to his abilities but were still helpless as he whipped the ball into the top-right corner.
Both efforts were from outside the box and had just 0.04 and 0.06 xG – a testament to the quality of Rice’s finishes.
Jack Grealish and Joe Hart react to Rice performance
Mikel Arteta has moved Rice into a higher role this season and it has paid dividends. The midfielder looks set to surpass his goal and assist figures for the previous campaign.
| Assists | Goals | Appearances | |
| 2023/24 | 10 | 7 | 51 |
| 2024/25 | 8 | 7 | 43 |
It’s not only his club teammates that have been impressed, with past and present England stars also congratulating the Arsenal man.
“Unreal,” wrote former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, while Manchester City and England’s Jack Grealish added his thoughts with smiling and impressed emojis.
Next for Rice and Arsenal is a home clash with Brentford in the Premier League before they travel to Spain to finish the job against Real Madrid. Should they hold onto their lead, it will be Arsenal’s first time reaching the Champions League semi-finals since 2009.
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