Declan Rice scored two spectacular free-kicks in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, showcasing his skills and leaving fans stunned. The 26-year-old midfielder had never scored with a direct free-kick before, but he defied expectations with his first goal, curling the ball around the four-man defensive wall to find the top corner.
Rice’s impressive performance was not a one-off, as he struck again just 12 minutes later, sending the ball into the top bin with incredible power. The goals were a stark contrast to Real Madrid’s struggles against set pieces in the first leg of the tie.
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the closing seconds of the game after Eduardo Camavinga was given a second yellow card, Real Madrid could not prevent Arsenal from securing a convincing victory. The win marked a significant improvement for the team since the first leg, and Rice’s stunning free-kicks were a major factor in their success.
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard praised his teammate’s skills, saying that he had “no fear” when it came to taking on big games. Rice echoed this sentiment, stating that he tries to “step up” in big matches, and instead of being afraid, he lets his football do the talking.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/09/declan-rice-free-kicks-arsenal-real-madrid-football-daily-newsletter