Real Madrid 3-0 in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg on April 8, 2025, showcasing their European ambitions and exposing Real Madrid's vulnerabilities. Declan Rice starred, scoring his first two free kicks, and Mikel Merino added a third to secure the emphatic victory at the Emirates.
The goal caused delirious celebrations among the home fans and Rice produced an even better one barely 10 minutes later, this time outfoxing Courtois by going across goal from the opposite side, his brilliant strike flying into the top corner to leave Madrid stunned.
Rice had never scored a direct free kick in his career but after a goalless first half, he did so twice in the space of 12 minutes as Madrid were made to pay for wasting a series of earlier openings with Kylian Mbappé the biggest culprit.
Rice's 58th-minute opener from nearly 32 yards beat Real's four-man wall before his second found the top corner with unerring accuracy. Merino's smart first-time finish five minutes later put the home side in dreamland and Real were unable to muster a response.
A wretched evening for Madrid got even worse in stoppage time as Eduardo Camavinga was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for dissent.
Kylian Mbappe pounced on a moment’s hesitation in our defence and got his shot away, but David Raya was safely behind it. We retaliated when a break down the left resulted in Thomas Partey testing Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the area, after Merino had laid the ball off to him, back to goal.
After the VAR officials took a long look at a potential handball against Raul Asencio before deeming nothing was untoward, Vinicius Junior shot wide after another fast break from inside their own half.
On the half-hour Mbappe had a great chance for the opener. Jude Bellingham turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye with a defence-splitting throughball, and the Frenchman had time to pick his spot but Raya was equal to his low shot. After our bright start, the Madrid forwards were beginning to make their presence known.
Arsenal prepares for this potentially historic advancement to the semi-finals, this victory serves as an affirmation of their strategic development under current management. With key players stepping up and delivering under pressure against one of football's most storied clubs, Arsenal has positioned itself as a formidable contender for European glory. The second leg promises to be an electrifying encounter as Real Madrid seeks redemption on home turf .
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