Arsenal delivered a stunning performance at the Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2025, defeating Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. The Gunners, guided by a remarkable display from Declan Rice, scored all three goals in the second half, leaving the defending champions on the brink of elimination.
The match started with both teams feeling each other out, but it was Arsenal who looked the more dangerous side right from the beginning. The first half ended goalless, but it was clear that the home side was growing in confidence. Arsenal's Declan Rice had two shots saved by Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while the visitors managed only a few counterattacks that failed to trouble Arsenal's David Raya.
As the second half kicked off, Arsenal's intensity surged. The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Rice stepped up to take a free kick from over 20 meters out. With precision and power, he curled the ball around the wall and into the net, sending the Emirates crowd into a frenzy.
Rice's first goal not only broke the deadlock but also marked a significant milestone for the midfielder. Remarkably, it was his first free-kick goal in 339 games across his career with West Ham, Arsenal, and the England national team. "It’s been in the locker!" Rice said post-match, reflecting on his long wait for a free-kick goal. "I’ve hit the wall too many times, but tonight, I just had the confidence to hit it, and I’m over the moon about it."
Just 12 minutes later, Rice struck again with another stunning free kick, this time from 20 meters, doubling Arsenal's lead. The second goal was even more spectacular, as he fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner, leaving Courtois grasping at thin air. Rice's performance earned him the PlayStation Player of the Match title, and his teammates were quick to praise his exceptional ability. Mikel Merino, who scored Arsenal's third goal, commented, "He has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career. I’m not surprised by his performance tonight."
Merino himself added to the scoreline in the 75th minute, finishing with a left-footed shot after receiving a perfect pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly. The goal capped off a remarkable 17-minute spell for Arsenal, who had the momentum firmly in their favor. With the score at 3-0, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with fans celebrating a historic night for the club.
However, the evening took a turn for Real Madrid when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card after kicking the ball away, further compounding the visitors' woes. Manager Carlo Ancelotti faced a tough challenge moving forward, as this defeat marked Real Madrid's 11th loss of the season, a stark contrast to their previous campaign where they only lost twice.
Post-match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his pride in the team's performance, labeling it the "biggest night" of his career. "We had a lot of motivation, and we showed that we could do it against the best opposition in football," Arteta said. He also highlighted the importance of preparing for the return leg at the Bernabéu, where the Gunners will need to maintain their focus and intensity.
Looking ahead, the return leg on April 16, 2025, in Madrid will be crucial for both teams. Arsenal will aim to secure their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2009, while Real Madrid will need a miracle to overturn the deficit. Despite the daunting task ahead, Jude Bellingham, who had a quiet night, remained optimistic, stating, "We are lucky it was 3-0. But the second leg is coming, and if there’s a place where crazy things happen, it’s our home."
As the excitement builds for the second leg, Arsenal fans are hopeful that their team can finish the job and advance to the semi-finals, while Real Madrid will look to draw on their rich history in the competition to mount a comeback. With both teams set to clash again in just a week, the stage is set for another thrilling encounter in the UEFA Champions League.
