Arsenal thump Real Madrid as Declan Rice joins elite club with Cristiano Ronaldo with stunning free-kicks
Declan Rice scored two outrageous free-kicks to guide Arsenal to an incredible 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League. The midfielder netted his first of the quarter-final first leg on 58 minutes a thumping curled effort that flew past Thibaut Courtois. Rice scored not one, but two fantastic free-kicks against MadridGetty But Rice then went one step further with a powerful strike into the top-right corner to leave Courtois helpless in goal yet again. Sitting in the stands at the Emirates Stadium was Madrid legend and free-kick master Roberto Carlos, who cut a stunned figure in the crowd. Both goals are the first directly from free-kicks in Rice’s senior career and teed up a memorable European night in north London. In addition to this, he became the fifth player to score two free-kicks in a Champions League match. He joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Rivaldo and Hakim Ziyech in the list, and is the first to do so against Madrid. Arsenal continued their outstanding performance with 15 minutes to play when Mikel Merino found the bottom corner with a well-taken low finish from the edge of the box. Madrid, the current Champions League holders, were arguably the favourites to win or at least draw for the second leg next Wednesday. But the record 15-time winners could find themselves crashing out of the competition at before the semi-finals. They must now produce a stunning comeback at the Bernabeu next week if they are to continue their title defence. Their night got even worse when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off late on for kicking the ball away, with the midfielder now out for the second leg. GettyMerino’s exquisite finish followed Rice’s outrageous double[/caption] Arsenal now have a huge advantage heading into the second legGetty Arsenal fans on the other hand will already be dreaming of the final four of Europe’s top-tier competition. The Gunners, who reached this stage last season, haven’t played in the Champions League semi-finals since 2009. However, this could very much change in a few days time courtesy of a stunning first leg performance. Although the Premier League title looks out of reach, Champions League glory could be theirs for the first time in their history.
Declan Rice scored two outrageous free-kicks to guide Arsenal to an incredible 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The midfielder netted his first of the quarter-final first leg on 58 minutes a thumping curled effort that flew past Thibaut Courtois.
But Rice then went one step further with a powerful strike into the top-right corner to leave Courtois helpless in goal yet again.
Sitting in the stands at the Emirates Stadium was Madrid legend and free-kick master Roberto Carlos, who cut a stunned figure in the crowd.
Both goals are the first directly from free-kicks in Rice’s senior career and teed up a memorable European night in north London.
In addition to this, he became the fifth player to score two free-kicks in a Champions League match.
He joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Rivaldo and Hakim Ziyech in the list, and is the first to do so against Madrid.
Arsenal continued their outstanding performance with 15 minutes to play when Mikel Merino found the bottom corner with a well-taken low finish from the edge of the box.
Madrid, the current Champions League holders, were arguably the favourites to win or at least draw for the second leg next Wednesday.
But the record 15-time winners could find themselves crashing out of the competition at before the semi-finals.
They must now produce a stunning comeback at the Bernabeu next week if they are to continue their title defence.
Their night got even worse when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off late on for kicking the ball away, with the midfielder now out for the second leg.
Arsenal fans on the other hand will already be dreaming of the final four of Europe’s top-tier competition.
The Gunners, who reached this stage last season, haven’t played in the Champions League semi-finals since 2009.
However, this could very much change in a few days time courtesy of a stunning first leg performance.
Although the Premier League title looks out of reach, Champions League glory could be theirs for the first time in their history.
