Declan Rice’s Free-Kick Brilliance Propels Arsenal to Stunning 3-0 Victory Over Real Madrid
In a Champions League quarterfinal first leg that will go down in history, Declan Rice put in a performance for the ages, scoring two sensational free kicks to lead Arsenal to a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. For Rice, it was a career-defining night—one that not only secured a massive win for his team but also marked a historic achievement in his personal journey.
From Zero to Hero: Rice’s Stunning Free-Kick Double
Before Tuesday’s match, Rice had never scored a free kick in his professional career after 338 games. But in just one night, he found the back of the net twice from set pieces, showing a level of confidence and precision that left everyone in awe. The Gunners were already on top, but the score remained deadlocked at 0-0 when Rice stepped up to take a free kick in the 58th minute. He curled the ball around the Real Madrid wall, sending it past Thibaut Courtois into the bottom corner.
Just 12 minutes later, Rice doubled his tally with another free kick—this one a stunning curling effort into the top corner, making him the first player ever to score two free kicks in a Champions League knockout match. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, and captain Martin Ødegaard were visibly stunned, their hands on their heads in disbelief at the quality of Rice’s strikes. Even Roberto Carlos, a former free-kick master for Real Madrid and Brazil, could only watch in admiration from the stands.
Rice Reflects on a Historic Night
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Rice couldn’t quite comprehend the magnitude of his achievement. “I’ve gone back to my phone, and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is special, and then to get the second one… I just had the confidence. I’m speechless,” said the 26-year-old midfielder.
“It’s a historic night,” he added, acknowledging that the full significance of the night would take time to sink in.
A Set-Piece Masterclass
Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, was also quick to celebrate Rice’s execution. While Bukayo Saka and Ødegaard usually take free kicks, Rice spotted the opportunity to take charge and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. “It didn’t make sense from that angle to cross the ball. I was going to go for it,” Rice explained.
Arteta praised his midfielder’s maturity and bravery, noting, “If there’s a player who can do it, it’s Declan. He strikes the ball so cleanly, and to do it against one of the best keepers in the world… it’s incredible.”
The Gunners’ Commanding Position
With the 3-0 victory, Arsenal are in a dominant position ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu on April 16. The win marked the 12th time an English side has won a Champions League knockout tie by three or more goals in the first leg, and in every previous instance, that team has gone on to progress to the next round.
However, Rice was cautious not to get carried away, reminding everyone of the danger that Real Madrid still posed. “Even if we’re 3-0 up, the individual quality they have is scary. At the Bernabeu, special things happen for them,” he said. “We want to win this competition, but we have to take it one game at a time.”
The Road Ahead
Arsenal’s thrilling performance has given them a chance to reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2009, but the road ahead is far from simple. Real Madrid’s ability to mount comebacks at the Bernabeu is legendary, and the return leg promises to be an epic encounter.
For now, Arsenal can revel in their remarkable win and the brilliance of Declan Rice, who not only delivered on the night but also etched his name into the history books.
