Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham expressed his astonishment at England teammate Declan Rice's exceptional free-kick performance during Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
"Declan Rice’s free-kicks were surprising! I’ve not seen him do that before [laughs]," Bellingham remarked, acknowledging the unexpected prowess displayed by Rice. He added, "So fair play to him."
Rice's remarkable feat marked his first direct free-kick goals in professional football, achieved within a 12-minute span against the reigning European champions. His first strike curled around the wall into the near post, while the second soared into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with no chance.
The performance not only stunned spectators but also left fellow players in awe, with Kylian Mbappé visibly reacting to Rice's second goal.
Arsenal's commanding lead positions them favorably for the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, as they aim for their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009.
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