Declan Rice struck two stunning free kicks as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over reigning champions Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash.

The England midfielder broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, bending a perfectly placed effort around the Madrid wall and inside the near post, leaving Thibaut Courtois rooted. 

With Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos watching from the stands, Rice repeated the magic in the 70th minute, this time curling a shot into the top corner.

Five minutes later, Mikel Merino added Arsenal’s third, putting the Gunners in firm control ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 16. Courtois made several key saves to keep the margin from growing even wider.

“In the second half, we knew we had to make it count,” Rice told Prime Sports. “The manager’s message was clear: believe we can win. We showed that belief and fought for each other.”

This was the first meeting between the two sides since 2006, when Arsenal knocked Madrid out in the round of 16.

Reflecting on his performance, Rice said, “It probably won’t sink in until later. I’m thrilled. One day I’ll look back and realize how special this was.”

Real’s best chances came through Kylian Mbappe, but the French star was twice denied by Arsenal keeper David Raya.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side faltered late on: “We were level for much of the match, then two incredible free kicks changed everything. Mentally, we collapsed.”

Jude Bellingham was blunt in his assessment: “We just weren’t good enough. Arsenal dominated. The score could have been worse.”

Still, he added, “The Bernabeu is where magic happens. We’ve got 90 minutes to turn this around.”

Source: Al Jazeera 

BDST: 1221 HRS, APR 09, 2025
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