Rice's Free-Kick Masterclass Propels Arsenal to Historic European Victory

Arsenal took a commanding step toward the Champions League semifinals with a stunning 3-0 victory over Real Madrid, powered by Declan Rice's remarkable free-kick double at the Emirates Stadium.

The England midfielder, who had never scored a direct free-kick in his previous 338 career matches, struck twice in the second half before Mikel Merino added a third to complete one of Arsenal's greatest European nights. The result ended Arsenal's nearly four-year drought without a direct free-kick goal, with their last coming from Martin Odegaard against Burnley in September 2021.

"Declan's been very determined because we have said in the last few months that we have not scored a direct free-kick in three-and-half years," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed. "To score two goals in 12 minutes of that magnitude and of that quality from the same player, a player that has never scored a free-kick before in his career, what are the odds?"

The victory provides Arsenal with renewed purpose after falling 11 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race. The Champions League now represents their only remaining opportunity to secure silverware this season, their first since the 2020 FA Cup.

"Beautiful. So proud of the team. I've never seen the stadium like this," Arteta said with News. "For big European nights you need the big stadiums that create atmosphere and you need individual magic moments."

Despite their commanding position, Arteta cautioned against complacency ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu: "We have to go to the Bernabeu and do it. That will be another step. We are just in the middle of the tie."

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, while acknowledging the difficult task ahead, refused to concede the tie: "There is always a first time. The comeback starts tonight. The possibilities are quite low but we have to try at 100 percent."

If Arsenal maintain their advantage, they would reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2009, facing either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa for a place in the final.