Video: Declan Rice scores tremendous free kicks for Arsenal against Real Madrid in Champions League clash

Arsenal hosted Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, aiming to secure a strong result at home. The Gunners delivered a statement performance, with midfielder Declan Rice scoring two sensational free kicks to put his team in control of the tie.

Real Madrid opened the match with a defensive approach, looking to capitalize on counterattacks while Arsenal dominated possession. The Gunners created the most dangerous chances in the first half but were kept at bay by a series of impressive saves from Thibaut Courtois. That all changed after the break.

Just 13 minutes into the second half, Bukayo Saka earned a foul just outside the box. Declan Rice stepped up and unleashed a thunderous strike in the 58th minute to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead.

Only minutes later, Saka was fouled again—this time by Eduardo Camavinga, who was shown a yellow card. Once again, Rice took the free kick, and once again, he delivered—curling the ball into the top corner to double Arsenal’s lead and send the Emirates crowd into a frenzy.

Mikel Merino sealed the 3-0 victory with a clinical finish off an accurate cross from Myles Lewis-Skelly. Arsenal now head to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg on Wednesday, April 16, with a commanding advantage.

Declan Rice: Arsenal’s unexpected hero

Arsenal’s starting lineup featured plenty of attacking talent, including Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka. But it was Declan Rice—typically not known for his set-piece ability—who stole the spotlight with two brilliantly taken free kicks.

Prior to this match, Rice had played 338 club games for West Ham and Arsenal without scoring a single direct free kick. On one unforgettable Champions League night, he scored twice in 12 minutes, becoming the unlikely hero in Arsenal’s pursuit of European glory.