Declan Rice made history in the Champions League with a brilliant performance against Real Madrid at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Arsenal midfielder became the first player to score two direct free kicks in a single knockout match of the Champions League. What made it even more special was that he did it against the current European champions, Real Madrid.
The first half ended without any goal, but Rice changed everything in the 58th minute. He scored his first goal curving a free kick around the Real Madrid wall and towards the network, beating goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. That goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 advantage.
Only 12 minutes later, Rice scored again with another impressive free kick. This time from a different angle, he sent the ball to the upper right corner, and Courtois had no chance. Arsenal was now 2-0, and Rice had written his name in history books.
In the 75th minute, Mikel Merino added a third goal for Arsenal, which makes him a 3-0 victory in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
One night to remember for Arsenal
It was a dream night for Arsenal and difficult for Real Madrid. The Spanish club has now granted 11 goals in its last four games and has lost 11 times this season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, continues its strong record against Real Madrid. In fact, Real Madrid has never scored a goal against Arsenal. The two teams have now gathered three times, and the Spanish team has not been able to find the network in all of them.
Rice’s performance earned him the Man of the Match award and gave Arsenal a three -go advantage before the second leg at Santiago Bernabéu next week.
