Arsenal delivered a sensational 3-0 victory over Champions League holders Real Madrid, with Declan Rice’s free-kick brilliance propelling the Gunners to the brink of a semi-final spot.
Rice scored two magnificent free kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium, while Mikel Merino added a third. Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in the closing moments for kicking the ball away, leaving the Spanish giants in disarray.
Rice’s free-kick double was nothing short of extraordinary, with Real’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois—typically a standout on Champions League nights—unable to even get close to the England midfielder’s stunning shots. Remarkably, this was Rice’s first-ever free-kick goal, and both of his strikes were as powerful as they were precise.
Arsenal’s performance was well-deserved, showcasing their maturity and ruthlessness against an injury-hit Real Madrid side. Mikel Arteta’s team now heads to the Bernabeu for the second leg on April 16, with strong prospects of progressing to the semi-finals, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa.
This could be a historic moment for Arsenal, as they have not reached the Champions League semi-finals since 2009. Now, they are within touching distance of achieving that goal, after an unforgettable night that will be etched in the club’s history.
Arteta had described the match against Real as the “biggest night” of his career, urging his players to make history by winning Arsenal’s first-ever Champions League title. The team’s response exceeded all expectations, including Arteta’s.
Although Arsenal trails Premier League leaders Liverpool by 11 points and seems destined for another runners-up finish, the Champions League now offers Arteta a real chance of securing his first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup—providing they can finish the job in Madrid.
For Real Madrid, this was a humbling defeat. The 15-time European champions were undone by their ongoing flaws, having already suffered 10 losses in all competitions this season, and currently trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by four points.
In contrast, Arsenal was in control from the outset. Jude Bellingham had a quiet game, and both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior posed only occasional threats. Vinicius Junior’s early effort curled wide after Mbappe’s assist, and later, Mbappe’s pace took him clear of the Arsenal defense, but his shot was straight at goalkeeper David Raya.
Despite some early Real Madrid threats, Arsenal remained undaunted. Rice’s towering header from Jurrien Timber’s cross forced a great save from Courtois, and Gabriel Martinelli’s follow-up was kept out by the Belgian keeper.
In the second half, Arsenal’s intensity proved too much for Real, and they took the lead in the 58th minute. Rice stepped up for a 25-yard free-kick and curled it around the wall into the far corner, a strike that even set-piece legend Roberto Carlos would have applauded.
Arsenal almost added to their lead soon after, with Courtois saving Martinelli’s blast and Merino’s follow-up shot cleared off the line by David Alaba, before Courtois denied Merino again.
Real Madrid was on the ropes, and Rice delivered another blow in the 70th minute, drilling a brilliant free-kick into the top corner from 20 yards, with Courtois unable to stop it.
The ecstatic Arsenal fans chanted, “Declan Rice, we got him half praise,” referencing his £105 million transfer fee, which, on this night, seemed entirely justified.
Arsenal wasn’t finished yet, as Merino sealed the win with a clinical finish from 12 yards in the 75th minute, sending the Emirates into wild celebrations. The Gunners are now firmly in dreamland, just one step away from a historic semi-final appearance.
