Declan Rice Nets 2 Brilliant Free Kicks To Help Arsenal Down Real Madrid In UCL
- Declan Rice scored two superb free-kicks to help Arsenal seal a comfortable win against Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium
- Mikel Merino sealed the win for the Gunners to ensure Arsenal seal a 3-0 victory in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg
- Arsenal's comfortable win automatically makes Mikel Arteta's men favourites to progress to the UCL semifinals
Arsenal took a giant step towards the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a commanding 3-0 win over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Midfielder Declan Rice was the undisputed star of the night, scoring two superb free kicks in the second half to put the Gunners in complete control of the quarter-final tie.
Rice broke the deadlock with a beautifully curled free kick that found its way inside Thibaut Courtois’ near post — remarkably, the first free-kick goal of his professional career, according to Daily Mail.
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Just 12 minutes later, the Englishman doubled Arsenal’s lead with an even more spectacular effort, bending the ball over the wall and into the top corner to send fans into a frenzy.
Arsenal humble the reigning UCL champions
Real Madrid, 14-time Champions League winners, were rocked by Arsenal’s intensity and precision.
Despite boasting a lineup filled with experience and flair, Los Blancos struggled to cope with the North London side’s pressing and quick transitions, Sky Sports reports.
Arsenal were fearless and fluid, moving the ball with purpose and precision.
Mikel Merino added a third goal late in the second half with a brilliant finish from the edge of the area to cap off a remarkable evening.
Real Madrid's collapse continued into stoppage time, when midfielder Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card.
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It was a performance full of confidence and maturity from a young Arsenal side hungry to reestablish themselves among Europe’s elite.
Gunners now favourites to progress
The emphatic result puts Arsenal in a commanding position heading into the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mikel Arteta's men are now strong favourites to advance to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, will have it all to do in the second leg and must overturn a three-goal deficit against one of Europe’s most in-form sides.
If Arsenal maintain this level of performance, their dream of Champions League glory could soon become a reality.
