Declan Rice Scores Two Free-Kick Goals As Arsenal Defeats Real Madrid In Champions League Quarter-Finals

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Declan Rice's remarkable performance against Real Madrid has left him in disbelief. His two free-kick goals have propelled Arsenal to the verge of the Champions League semi-finals. In the second half, Rice expertly placed both free-kicks into the top-right corner, with Mikel Merino adding another goal to secure a 3-0 victory in Tuesday's quarter-final first leg.

Rice made history by becoming the first player to score two direct free-kick goals in a Champions League knockout-stage match. This achievement is rare, with only Cristiano Ronaldo, Hakim Ziyech, Neymar, and Rivaldo having scored more than one in a single game before. Arsenal has had only three players score direct free-kicks in the competition: Alberto Mendez, Thierry Henry (three times), and Bukayo Saka.

Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, Rice expressed his amazement: "I don't know whether it will ever sink in. I've gone back to my phone and it's gone crazy! To score my first free-kick in a game like this was special. Then, when I got the second one, I just had the confidence. I'm speechless really. To beat Real Madrid in this competition; it's a big night for us."

The initial plan for Rice's first free-kick was to cross it, as advised by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. However, when Bukayo Saka encouraged him to take the shot if he felt confident, Rice decided to go for it. "We were saying to cross it," Rice explained. "When the wall was over a little bit, we saw the space and Bukayo said: 'if you feel it, go for it'. I thought: 'I'm going to take this'."

Despite Jover being seen making a whipping gesture before the kick, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was content for Jover to take credit for the goal. Arteta remarked on Rice's ability: "He can claim it if he wants; it doesn't matter," he said. "It's incredible! If there's a player who can do it, with how clean he strikes it, it's Declan."

Arteta praised Rice's execution against one of the world's best goalkeepers: "But you have to execute it at the highest level," he added. The Gunners boss acknowledged that such precision is rare and commendable.

Looking Ahead

Despite their strong lead, Rice remains cautious about facing Real Madrid again at Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday. He acknowledged their formidable individual talent: "As the manager just said, even if we're 3-0 up, the individual quality they have is scary," he noted.

The midfielder understands that special moments often occur at Bernabeu and emphasised Arsenal's desire to reach the semi-finals: "At the Bernabeu, special things happen for them," he said. "We want to be in the Champions League semi-finals."