Arsenal have taken a 3-0 lead against Spanish giants Real Madrid to send fans into hysteria during their Champions League first-leg quarter-final clash.
Across what has been a much-anticipated meeting, the first since the 2005/06 season between the two, both sides failed to break the deadlock before the halftime interval.
Then a double moment of magic from talismanic midfielder Declan Rice.
The former West Ham star and current Gunners on-field lieutenant dispatched an otherwordly free-kick to beat Thibaut Courtois in the 58th minute.
📸 – DECLAN RICE WITH AN INSANE FREE KICK, WHAT A SHOT! pic.twitter.com/63pgbVha3S
— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) April 8, 2025
Not to be outdone, Rice then doubled his efforts once again with a glorious free-kick strike 12 minutes later to potentially put Arsenal out of sight on the night while becoming just the 5th player in Champions League history to score two free-kicks in the same match.
📸 – DECLAN RICE WITH ONE OF THE BEST FREE KICKS YOU WILL EVER SEE IN YOUR LIFETIME!
AT THIS STAGE!
AT THIS MOMENT!
AGAINST THIS CLUB! pic.twitter.com/ajusY9B49C— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) April 8, 2025
Arsenal then would go on to make it 3-0 in the 76th minute through emergency centre-forward Mikel Merino to, potentially, end the tie after the first leg.
Real Madrid are the kings of Europe, but so far tonight, Arsenal are in with a chance of dethroning Carlo Ancelotti and his merry band.
📸 Justin Setterfield – 2025 Getty Images