Declan Rice Double Stuns Madrid as Arsenal Seize Commanding First-Leg Lead
Declan Rice delivered a stunning masterclass in set-piece precision as Arsenal overwhelmed Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash.
Manager Mikel Arteta had urged Arsenal supporters to arrive early and generate a raucous atmosphere — and both the fans and the team answered the call. Right from kickoff, the Gunners applied intense pressure, launching a series of dangerous crosses into the Madrid penalty area, unsettling the visitors.
Although Real Madrid grew into the game, registering their first real opportunity in the 20th minute when Vinicius Jr curled a shot just wide, it was Arsenal who seized the night in emphatic fashion after the break.
Declan Rice, known more for his midfield dominance than dead-ball brilliance, lit up north London with two spectacular second-half free-kicks. The first came in the 58th minute, a perfectly bent strike around the Madrid wall that left Thibaut Courtois rooted. Just 12 minutes later, Rice struck again — this time firing an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner, sending the Emirates into a frenzy and Madrid into disarray.
Mikel Merino, stepping in as a makeshift forward, capped off Arsenal’s dream performance with a third goal in the 75th minute, curling a composed finish into the bottom corner to put the result beyond doubt.
To compound Madrid’s woes, Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card, meaning he’ll miss the second leg even without the dismissal.
Speaking after the game, a jubilant Rice revealed the thinking behind his free-kick heroics:
“It’s been in the locker! But I’ve hit the wall too many times or sent it over. At first I was going to cross it, but then I saw the wall and where the keeper was… I just went for it. The second one? Pure confidence.”
Despite the historic win, Rice was quick to keep his focus:
“It won’t hit me until later. There’s another leg to go. But in a few years, I’ll realize just how special tonight was.”
Arsenal’s win marks their best Champions League result in years and puts them firmly on course for their first semi-final appearance since 2009. They’ll now head to the Santiago Bernabéu next week with a commanding three-goal cushion and dreams of European glory very much alive.
