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London, April 8, 2025 – On a night of fireworks and footballing theatre at the Emirates, Declan Rice wrote himself into Arsenal folklore with two sensational free-kicks as Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a seismic 3-0 win over 15-time European champions Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
This was no ordinary win. This was redemption, revival, and revolution in a single performance. A packed crowd waved banners emblazoned with the message: “Make it happen.” Arsenal did just that.
Rice’s Rocket Double: A Night for the Ages
The Gunners had never seen Declan Rice score from a direct free-kick in his entire nine-year career. But in front of a roaring home crowd, Rice decided to empty the locker.
- His first came in the 57th minute: a 25-yard effort bent around the wall and past a helpless Thibaut Courtois, widely regarded as the best keeper in the world.
- Then came the encore – another inch-perfect strike, same side, same technique, same disbelief. This time, Rice ran toward the advertising boards, leapt onto them, towering over the moment.
“I’m over the moon,” Rice said. “In a few years this will hit me harder. For now, I’m just buzzing.”
Even teammate Mikel Merino, who added the third goal later, couldn’t help but marvel:
“This guy has one of the best shooting abilities I’ve seen in my career. Hopefully more will come.”
Mikel Merino Caps Off a Magical Night
The third goal was equally poetic. Myles Lewis-Skelly, the teenager making waves this season, cut through Madrid’s midfield with ease and found Merino in stride. The Spaniard calmly slotted the ball home to make it 3-0.
Merino’s post-match comments were just as emphatic:
“The dressing room at halftime was all about tempo and intent. We came out full gas—and the fans carried us. It was electric.”
Real Madrid Implode: Camavinga Sees Red
The European giants were rattled. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior offered moments of menace, but Madrid’s lack of cohesion was glaring. Eduardo Camavinga’s late red card—his second yellow for kicking the ball away—was symbolic of a team unraveling under pressure.
Even Jude Bellingham, Madrid’s creative force, was neutralized, with David Raya producing a crucial one-on-one save in the first half.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid – Match Stats at a Glance
| Key Moment | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Free-Kick Goal #1 | 57’ | Curled into the top left corner |
| Rice Free-Kick Goal #2 | 69’ | Mirror-image strike, same brilliance |
| Merino Goal | 76’ | Slotted after Lewis-Skelly assist |
| Camavinga Sent Off | 84’ | Second yellow, kicking ball away |
Arteta’s Defining Night
Arteta had called it the “biggest night of his coaching career.” With this commanding win, he may have just redefined Arsenal’s modern European narrative.
Deprived of key players like Gabriel Magalhães, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kai Havertz, the Gunners still played with structure, fluidity, and relentless energy. Bukayo Saka’s return also added width and danger, reminding fans what they had missed.
What They Said – Post-Match Reactions
- Declan Rice: “The gaffer told us we needed to believe. I’ve practiced these [free-kicks], and tonight it just clicked.”
- Mikel Merino: “We believed in our plan. This team, this crowd, this energy—tonight we made it happen.”
Second Leg at the Bernabéu – What Next?
Arsenal will carry a commanding 3-0 lead into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. But as history has shown, Real Madrid specialize in comebacks.
Still, with Rice in this kind of form, and Arteta’s blueprint working to perfection, Arsenal now dream—not just of reaching the semi-finals, but of lifting the trophy that has eluded them for two decades.
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