Arsenal’s Declan Rice emerged as the hero of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, scoring two incredible free kick goals to lead his team to 3-0 victory over Real Madrid.
The first half at the Emirates Stadium was fast-paced, with the two teams having clear chances. While Madrid started better, Arsenal grew into the match, ending the first 45 minutes by pressuring the visitors.
Thibaut Courtois was working overtime, saving shots from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli and Rice. Still, when they couldn’t break through in open play, it was a set piece that gave Mikel Arteta’s side the breakthrough.
Rice opened up the scoring against Real Madrid with an incredible free kick goal in the 58th minute, surprising Courtois and Los Blancos. However, he didn’t stop there.
If the first goal was already impressive, Rice did it again with an even more beautiful strike to make it 2–0:
Merino scored the third to complete the rout
If Rice’s two goals had left Madrid reeling, Mikel Merino struck in the 75th minute to seal the win. After a great team move, Myles Lewis-Skelly delivered a cross for Merino to slot the ball into the net with a clinical cross-shot, impossible for Courtois to stop.
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The result gives Arsenal a significant advantage heading into the second leg, which will be played on Wednesday, April 16. While you can never count Madrid out, Mikel Arteta’s men are in a strong position to secure a spot in the tournament semifinals.
