Arsenal’s Declan Rice showcased his exceptional talent by netting two remarkable free-kicks, leading the Gunners to a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. The midfielder’s unexpected prowess in set-pieces left fans and opponents stunned, marking a significant milestone in his career.
In a match that saw Arsenal initially struggle to break through Real Madrid’s defenses, the second half belonged to Rice. His first goal came as he expertly curled the ball around the wall, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance. Just 12 minutes later, Rice doubled his tally with a thunderous strike into the top corner, a feat that had eluded him throughout his career until now. Mikel Merino added a third goal, solidifying Arsenal’s dominance and setting them up favorably for the second leg.
Declan Rice expressed: “As a group of players, we were convinced we were out there, together as a team, fighting for each other and in the second-half we knew we had to score. I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar. Originally we were going to cross it and then I saw the wall and the goalkeeper’s position and thought, for the first one, ‘just go for it’. The second one, I just had the confidence and just hit it. It’s not going to hit me yet because there’s another leg to go. I’m over the moon but in a few years time, it’ll really hit me.”
Rice continued: “When they were over, I saw the space around the wall and looked at the keeper and that’s why we lined-up with three at the back [post] because we were going to cross it.”
He added: “Bukayo said, ‘if you feel it’, and I went, ‘I’m going to take this’, and just hit it.”
The match not only highlighted Rice’s versatility but also demonstrated Arsenal’s strategic prowess under pressure. With this victory, the Gunners have a significant advantage heading into the second leg, thanks to Rice’s unexpected heroics.
