Declan Rice Scores Two free Kicks as Arsenal Defeat Real Madrid

Declan Rice delivered a masterclass performance as Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

The first half ended goalless — with Kylian Mbappe squandering Madrid’s best opportunities. The game transformed dramatically when Rice scored his first-ever free kick in the 58th minute, beating goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Twelve minutes later, the English midfielder proved his excellence again — scoring an even more impressive second free kick. Mikel Merino added a third goal five minutes after, before Eduardo Camavinga received a red card in injury time.

“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,” said Rice.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that the team’s last direct free kick goal came about 3.5 years ago — when Martin Odegaard scored against Burnley.