Declan Rice Scores Two Sensational Free-Kicks As Arsenal Dismantle Real Madrid In The Champions League 3a4l3i

Watch the highlights from Arsenal’s incredible 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

The Gunners produced one of their greatest European performances in recent memory, dismantling Los Blancos at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side came into the tie flying high off the back of a 9-3 aggregate win over PSV, and they carried that momentum into a pulsating night under the lights in north London.

While Arsenal have fallen behind in the Premier League title race, their European dream remains well and truly alive after a dominant second-half display stunned the 15-time champions.

The first half was a close tactical battle, with Real Madrid edging the early chances. Kylian Mbappe was a constant threat, twice testing David Raya, while Vinicius Junior also came close to breaking the deadlock.

But Arsenal grew into the game, forcing Courtois into a trio of fine stops – most notably a brilliant double save to deny Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli.

After the break, it was all Arsenal.

Declan Rice lit up the Emirates with not one but two sensational free-kicks that left Courtois rooted and gave Arsenal a deserved lead.

The first came after Saka was fouled 30 yards out, with Rice whipping a precise effort into the top corner. Minutes later, he did it again, curling in from the opposite side with even more venom and precision to make it 2-0.

The Gunners weren’t done. Rice was again at the heart of the action, surging forward before linking up with Trossard and Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old squared the ball to Mikel Merino, who coolly swept a first-time strike into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

Incredibly, Merino has scored more goals against Real Madrid than any other club in his career.

Madrid were reeling, and their night got even worse when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off late on after kicking the ball away and earning a second yellow card. It capped off a miserable evening for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who now face a monumental task in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

WATCH: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid Highlights 3o1653

Arsenal will now take a commanding advantage into the return leg, full of confidence and belief that they can reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009. They have one foot in the semi-finals, and the latest Champions League odds have shifted in their favour.

Declan Rice’s performance has only added to the growing calls for him to be considered among Europe’s elite midfielders, while the return of key players like Saka, Martinelli, and Odegaard has come at the perfect time.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. With Camavinga suspended and questions looming over their defensive fragility, Ancelotti’s men will need another magical European night to claw their way back into this tie.

But for now, it’s Arsenal fans dreaming of going all the way.