Arsenal produced a stunning performance at the Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2025, as they trounced reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Declan Rice shone brightly, scoring two remarkable free-kicks that left the visiting side in disarray and put the Gunners within touching distance of a place in the semi-finals.
Rice opened the scoring for Arsenal just before the hour mark, bending a magnificent shot around the wall and past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from nearly 30 yards out. He followed it up with another free-kick just ten minutes later, curling the ball into the top corner from a similar distance, marking both his first and second career free-kicks in a staggering 339 games. Mikel Merino capped off the night with a third goal, sealing the emphatic victory.
“It’s been in the locker,” Rice joked after the match, speaking to Amazon Prime. “But I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar. Originally we were going to cross it but I just saw the wall and the goalkeeper’s position for the first one and just went for it.”
He added, “I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon. But in a few years time this will really hit me, that what I’ve done tonight was really special.” Rice’s brace made him only the fifth player to score two direct free-kick goals in the same Champions League match, joining the ranks of legends like Rivaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Hakim Ziyech.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had called the match the “biggest night” of his career, urging his players to write their own history in pursuit of the club’s first Champions League title. The team rose to the occasion, demonstrating maturity and resilience against a star-studded Real Madrid side that struggled to cope with their intensity.
Despite the early threats posed by Real through stars like Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal maintained control of the game. Bukayo Saka, making his first start since returning from a hamstring injury, was instrumental in the attack, winning the free-kick that led to Rice's opening goal. Saka’s return was a welcome boost for the Gunners, who had missed his creativity during his three-month absence.
“It’s amazing to have him back,” Rice said of Saka. “You could see how much it hurt him when he got injured because he’s played so many games at such a young age, and he’s got that hunger and desire to play football matches.”
As the match progressed, Arsenal continued to press, with Rice nearly scoring again from a header that Courtois saved just before halftime. The Belgian keeper was forced into several key saves throughout the match, but he could do little to stop Rice’s stunning strikes.
After Rice’s second goal, Merino added a third in the 75th minute, finishing clinically from 12 yards after a well-worked move. The Emirates erupted as Arsenal fans celebrated a historic night, with chants of “Declan Rice, we got him half praise,” acknowledging the midfielder’s hefty £105 million transfer fee.
Real Madrid’s woes were compounded when Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away in the dying moments of the match, leaving the Spanish giants with ten men and a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu on April 16.
Arsenal’s victory not only marked a significant step toward a place in the semi-finals but also highlighted the club’s resurgence in European competition. The Gunners last reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2009 and will be eager to capitalize on this momentum as they look to end a long wait for a major trophy.
While Arsenal trails Premier League leaders Liverpool by 11 points and appears set to finish as runners-up for a third consecutive season, the Champions League now offers a genuine opportunity for Arteta to secure silverware. The team’s performance against Real Madrid showcased their potential and determination to succeed on the European stage.
As the final whistle blew, Arsenal celebrated a memorable night that will undoubtedly go down in the club’s storied history. With the second leg looming, the Gunners will aim to maintain their form and secure their place among Europe’s elite once again.
In the aftermath of the match, Rice reflected on the significance of the victory, stating, “I’m just so happy to score those two goals, and it’s a nice bit of history for the club tonight to beat Real Madrid, such a historic club in this competition. It’s a big night for us.”
With the second leg approaching, all eyes will be on Arsenal as they seek to complete the job in Madrid and continue their quest for Champions League glory.
