Last Updated:
With his wonder brace of freekicks, Arsenal’s Declan Rice scripted history, becoming the first player to score from two direct free-kicks in the same match in the knockout stages of the UCL.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice was the showstopper against Real Madrid in the first leg of the UCL QF (X)
It was ‘rice, rice baby’ all day for Arsenal yesterday, as England midfielder Declan Rice put up a performance for the ages, scoring two worldies from free-kicks, to help the Gunners seal an unexpected 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Coming into the leg at the Emirates, facing the dreaded 15-time champions, arguably hindered by injuries to their defensive ranks and terrible play lately, Arsenal who lacked any real firepower up front in the striker’s spot were deemed to be the underdogs.
But, cometh the hour cometh the man. It was Rice, who stepped up for the Gunners and broke the deadlock in the second half, netting a sensational curler from outside the box, beating the Real Madrid wall and Thibaut Courtois in goal to give the home team the lead in the 58th minute.
Former Real Madrid and Brazil defender Roberto Carlos – himself a master from a set-piece during his career – was seen looking glum-faced in the stands.
Rice was nowhere near done though, as he truly capped off a magical night with yet another pinpoint perfect freekick from even further, stunning Real Madrid and the Emirates faithful themselves, as he found the top corner of Courtois’s goal in the 70th minute to double their lead.
And just like that Rice, who had never before scored a goal from a direct freekick in his entire professional career spanning 338 games, notched the most magical brace with two wonderkicks.
Arsenal were ultimately swarming all over Los Blancos from then onwards, as Mikel Merino converted on a wondrous one-touch finish to cap off Arsenal’s night with a 3-0 win.
With his wonder brace of freekicks, Arsenal’s Declan Rice scripted history, becoming the first player to score from two direct free-kicks in the same match in the knockout stages of the UCL.
He also became the fifth player ever to achieve the feat throughout all stages of the tournament, plus became the only player to do so against Real Madrid in the UCL.
“I don’t know whether it will ever sink in,” Rice told Amazon Prime after the game.
“I’ve gone back to my phone then and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one… I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really.
“I don’t think it’s going to hit me, what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historic night.”
With the second leg slated to take place next week, Arsenal are now tasked with holding off a ravenous Madrid, known for their comebacks in the coveted tournament, at the Santiago Bernabeu but shall do so with unbridled confidence.
