Declan Rice Stuns Real Madrid With Free-Kick Brilliance As Arsenal Cruise To 3-0 UCL Win

Two wonder goals from Rice and a Merino finish power Arsenal to a dominant first-leg victory over reigning champions Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.

April 9, 2025: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid: Declan Rice lit up the Emirates Stadium with a spectacular brace of free-kicks as Arsenal thrashed Champions League holders Real Madrid in the quarterfinal first leg, moving within touching distance of a historic semifinal berth.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Glenn Maxwell Fined 25% Of Match Fees, Earns Demerit Point For Code Of Conduct Breach

In front of a roaring North London crowd, Rice curled in two unstoppable set-pieces, while Mikel Merino added a third goal to cap off a clinical performance from Mikel Arteta’s men. It was an evening to remember as the Gunners dismantled a disjointed Madrid side and ended the night with Real’s Eduardo Camavinga seeing red for time-wasting in frustration.

Rice, who had never scored a free-kick before this match, delivered not one but two jaw-dropping finishes that left even Thibaut Courtois helpless in goal. The England midfielder’s thunderous display comes as vindication of his £105 million price tag, with fans singing his praises long after the final whistle.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Shashank Singh Credits Brian Lara For Confidence Boost And Batting Success

Despite a strong early showing from Real’s frontmen Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal’s resilience held firm. Goalkeeper David Raya came up with key saves, and Arsenal’s attacking intensity eventually broke through in the 58th minute, when Rice opened the scoring with a curling effort from 25 yards.

Just 12 minutes later, he did it again — this time from 20 yards — rifling the ball into the top corner to send the Emirates into delirium. Merino made it 3-0 soon after with a calm finish, sealing a dominant night for the Premier League side.

Arsenal now take a commanding lead into the second leg at the Bernabeu on April 16, with a semifinal clash against either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa awaiting.

This emphatic win is Arsenal’s biggest in European competition in years and could mark the turning point in their pursuit of Champions League glory — a trophy that has long eluded them.

---

🏷️ Tags:

Arsenal vs Real Madrid, Declan Rice free-kick goals, Arsenal Champions League win, Real Madrid UCL loss, Mikel Arteta, UEFA Champions League 2025, Mikel Merino goal, Courtois vs Arsenal, Emirates Stadium match, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Camavinga red card