In a night to remember at the Emirates Stadium, Declan Rice delivered two sensational free kicks to propel Arsenal to a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash. However, the story behind those strikes has added an intriguing layer to the narrative.
Rice, who was the star of the evening, revealed in a post-match interview that Arsenal's set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, had initially instructed him to cross the ball rather than take a direct shot. Speaking candidly, Rice shared, "He told me to cross it, but I saw the wall and the keeper, and it didn’t make sense to me. I practice these situations a lot, and I felt confident. So, I decided to go for it."
The first free kick, taken in the 58th minute, was a masterpiece of precision and power. Rice bent the ball around the Real Madrid wall, leaving goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois rooted to the spot. The second, in the 70th minute, was equally breathtaking, curling into the top corner and cementing Rice's place in Champions League history as the first player to score two free kicks in a single knockout game.
Jover, known for his meticulous approach to set pieces, was seen animatedly gesturing from the sidelines during the match. While his initial instructions were to deliver a cross, Rice's decision to trust his instincts paid off spectacularly. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, visibly stunned by the brilliance of the strikes, later commented, "He can claim it if he wants, but what matters is the result."
With a three-goal advantage heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, Arsenal has taken a significant step toward the semifinals.
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