Declan Rice delivered a sensational performance at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, scoring two exquisite second-half free-kicks as Arsenal shocked Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash.
Mikel Arteta had called on Arsenal supporters to create a charged atmosphere, and the fans responded with roaring energy from kickoff. The Gunners matched that intensity on the pitch, pressing high and delivering a flurry of dangerous balls into Madrid’s box during the early stages.
Despite Arsenal’s bright start, Real Madrid carved out the first real chance of the game in the 20th minute, with Vinicius Jr curling a shot narrowly wide. However, Los Blancos struggled to maintain momentum and failed to trouble David Raya significantly throughout the match.
The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Declan Rice stepped up to take a free-kick just outside the penalty area. With remarkable precision, he curled the ball around the Madrid wall and into the bottom corner, leaving Thibaut Courtois rooted to the spot.
The Emirates erupted—and Rice wasn’t done yet.
Twelve minutes later, the England international repeated the magic. This time, he bent another free-kick from long range into the top right-hand corner, further silencing the Spanish giants and asserting Arsenal’s dominance.
The night became even more memorable for Arsenal fans in the 75th minute when Mikel Merino, unmarked in the box, slotted home a composed finish into the bottom corner, making it 3-0 and effectively sealing the night’s result.
Real Madrid’s woes deepened in stoppage time as Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card and was dismissed, compounding their misery ahead of the second leg in Spain.
Jude Bellingham, visibly frustrated, tried to rally his teammates, but it was clear that Arsenal were the superior side on the night—more disciplined, hungrier, and tactically sharp.
With this commanding victory, Arsenal have taken a significant step toward their first UEFA Champions League semi-final appearance since the 2008-09 season. Mikel Arteta’s men will head to the Santiago Bernabéu with a strong advantage, knowing a focused performance could see them through to the final four.
As for Declan Rice, his two-goal heroics not only boosted Arsenal’s European hopes but also further cemented his reputation as one of the most complete midfielders in world football.
