Arsenal produced a night to remember at the Emirates Stadium with a breathtaking 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash. A dominant second-half display, highlighted by two sensational free-kicks from Declan Rice, gave the Gunners a commanding advantage heading into the return leg in Spain.
The first half saw both sides create chances in an open and entertaining contest, but neither could find a breakthrough. However, the game sparked into life just minutes after the restart when Declan Rice stepped up and curled a brilliant free-kick past the Real Madrid goalkeeper to send the Emirates crowd into raptures.
Remarkably, Rice wasn’t finished there. Just over ten minutes later, he repeated the feat with an even more spectacular strike from another set piece, bending the ball into the top corner and leaving the Madrid players stunned. It was a night to remember for the midfielder, who scored the first brace of his professional career – and did so in style.
Arsenal’s attacking display didn’t stop with Rice. Centre forward Mikel Merino, leading the line on the night, added a third goal with a clinical left-footed finish. His sharp strike capped off a magical evening for Mikel Arteta’s side, marking Arsenal’s first meeting with Real Madrid since 2006 with a memorable win.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, Arsenal knows the job isn’t done yet. With the second leg to come at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid will be determined to respond on home soil. But for now, the Emirates faithful can savour one of the greatest European nights in the club’s history – a night defined by brilliance, belief, and two extraordinary free-kicks from Declan Rice.
