Two unbelievable Declan Rice free kicks vs Real Madrid stunned the Spanish giants and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as Arsenal soared to a 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal.
After a relatively quiet first half, Rice sent the crowd inside Emirates Stadium into a frenzy with a marvelous bending free kick in the 58th minute. The ball bent so far around the wall it was reminiscent of Roberto Carlos’ free kick vs. France in 1997.
Declan Rice free kicks vs Real Madrid
DECLAN RICE CURVES ONE IN BEAUTIFULLY
ARSENAL LEAD AGAINST REAL MADRID! pic.twitter.com/60Q8bhbYxS— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2025
Ironically enough Roberto Carlos was in attendance for Tuesday’s quarterfinal. Two set piece geniuses.
Rice wasn’t finished yet. Just 12 minutes later he had another free kick opportunity just outside of Real Madrid’s box. A wave of anticipation covered the stadium as he stood over the ball. What happened next was golden.
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE FOR DECLAN RICE ⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/XZHSlaCOj3
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2025
Tuesday’s first leg might go down as one of the greatest days of the 26-year-old’s career. It will certainly be a tale he tells his grandkids.
The day only got sweeter for Arsenal in the 75th minute when Mikel Merino extended the Gunners’ lead to 3-0. Merino’s strike also left Courtois helpless as the mighty Madrid crumbled to the Arsenal barrage.
MIKEL MERINO WITH A SWEET STRIKE TO PUT ARSENAL THREE GOALS UP
THE EMIRATES IS ROCKING pic.twitter.com/8OvnZviwxU— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2025
Real Madrid looked totally outclassed in the second half and will need a miracle next Wednesday in the second leg to try and advance to the semifinals.
If Rice gets a free kick near the box next week then there will be thousands of Madrid supporters inside the Santiago Bernabéu covering their eyes.
