On April 8, 2025, Arsenal delivered a stunning performance at the Emirates Stadium, defeating Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. The Gunners showcased their attacking prowess with two breathtaking free-kicks from Declan Rice and a well-placed strike from Mikel Merino, leaving the holders with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
The match kicked off with both teams showing intent, but it was Arsenal who came close to scoring first. Just five minutes in, a cross from Bukayo Saka was cleared by Antonio Rudiger, narrowly missing the post after deflecting off Eduardo Camavinga. A VAR check for a potential handball against Raul Asencio was dismissed, keeping the scoreline level.
Real Madrid had their chances, with Vinicius Junior firing a shot wide from 20 yards and Kylian Mbappe seeing his effort thwarted by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. Despite some threatening moments from the visitors, the first half ended goalless, with Arsenal failing to convert several opportunities, including a double save from Thibaut Courtois that denied both Merino's header and Rice's follow-up.
However, the second half saw a shift in momentum. Arsenal's breakthrough came in the 58th minute, when Saka was fouled by David Alaba just outside the box. Rice stepped up to take the free-kick, curling a magnificent shot around the wall and past Courtois into the net, igniting the home crowd.
The Gunners continued to press, and just twelve minutes later, Rice struck again with another free-kick from a similar distance. This time, he found the top corner, sending the Emirates into a frenzy. Arsenal's relentless pursuit of goals was evident, as they registered 11 shots on target, matching the record for the most by a team against Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout stage match.
Mikel Merino added a third goal in the 75th minute, expertly finishing a cutback from Myles Lewis-Skelly to seal a commanding lead for Arsenal. The Spanish midfielder’s goal marked a significant moment, as he now has four goals in 11 matches against Los Blancos.
As the match drew to a close, Real Madrid's frustrations boiled over when Camavinga received a second yellow card in added time, compounding their woes on a night to forget.
Mikel Arteta praised his team's performance, highlighting the atmosphere created by the fans and the individual brilliance of players like Rice. "We had a very complete and big performance collectively," he said. "And you need that in terms of organisation and what you need to do to cause Madrid problems."
In contrast, Carlo Ancelotti expressed disappointment in his team's inability to respond effectively. "We weren’t able to show a response together," he lamented. "The opposition played better with the ball, it’s a disappointing result."
Jude Bellingham acknowledged Arsenal's dominance, stating, "We were nowhere near it. That’s the fact and Arsenal were really good. I know two of their goals were free-kicks but they could have had way more."
Declan Rice reflected on his historic night, becoming the first player to score two direct free-kick goals in a knockout stage match in Champions League history. "I don’t think it’s going to hit me what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historical night, and to score two goals against Real Madrid," he said.
Matthew Upson praised Rice’s overall impact on the match, noting that his performance extended beyond the free-kicks. "He was all over the pitch, running up and down and everywhere. He is immense," Upson remarked.
Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry credited Bukayo Saka for his role in creating the free-kick opportunities, stating, "Every time taking the ball, running past one, two, three, four players to go inside to get the free-kicks."
With this emphatic win, Arsenal now holds a significant advantage heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Gunners have never lost a European knockout tie after leading by three goals from the first leg, and they will look to continue their impressive form.
As Arsenal prepare for their next match against Brentford in the Premier League, they will carry the confidence from this historic victory into their upcoming challenges. Meanwhile, Real Madrid must regroup quickly as they face Deportivo Alavés in La Liga, hoping to find a spark before the decisive second leg.
In the wake of this remarkable performance, Arsenal has emerged as a serious contender for the Champions League title, with the Opta supercomputer now giving them a 96% chance to progress to the semi-finals, a 54.2% chance to reach the final, and a 28.4% chance to win the competition.
As the dust settles on this memorable night, the focus shifts to the return leg in Madrid, where Arsenal will aim to finish the job and secure their place in the last four of Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
