Rice Rockets Arsenal to Stunning Win Over Real Madrid

Arsenal lit up Emirates Stadium in London, England, with a commanding 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, 8 April.

Gunners midfielder Declan Rice, first stepped into the spotlight at the 58-minute mark, and delivered a sensational second-half free-kick – his first-ever direct goal from a set piece – leaving Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, utterly stunned and the crowd in raptures with an electric atmosphere.

Bukayo Saka’s lively wing play earned a second setup for Rice in the 70th minute, which gave him his brace; while Mikel Merino sealed the game just five minutes later with a calm finish following some fine contributing work from teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, who impressed with fearless passing and composure.

The Spanish visitors struggled to match Arsenal’s energy and cohesion, with their few chances thwarted by goalkeeper David Raya. Eduardo Camavinga’s stoppage-time red card bookmarked their woes on a night they would rather forget.

It was a landmark evening for Mikel Arteta’s side – their best European performance in over a decade – as they now take a commanding advantage to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, next week.

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