Declan Rice stole the spotlight with a stunning performance as Arsenal secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
The England international delivered two breathtaking free-kick goals, with the first—a curling strike around the wall into the near post in the 58th minute—drawing immediate comparisons to legendary Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos. His second came just twelve minutes later, soaring into the top corner with precision and power.
What made the moment even more iconic was the presence of Roberto Carlos himself in the stands. Known globally for his remarkable free-kick against France in 1997, the Real Madrid legend appeared visibly astonished as he watched Rice replicate the kind of magic he once produced.
These were Declan Rice’s first career goals from direct free-kicks, and they placed him in elite company—becoming the first player to score two such goals in a Champions League knockout match. The third goal of the night came from Mikel Merino in the 75th minute, sealing a comprehensive win for Mikel Arteta’s side.
While the result puts Arsenal in a commanding position ahead of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, Rice was quick to urge caution, reminding fans of Real Madrid’s historic comebacks in European competition.
The victory also puts Arsenal within touching distance of their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009, with Rice’s heroics marking one of the most memorable performances of the tournament so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment