Declan Rice celebrated a career milestone, scoring two stunning free kicks in Arsenal’s decisive 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, a feat he attributed to years of practice.
Rice’s remarkable double, coupled with a goal from Mikel Merino, put Arsenal on the verge of their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009. The midfielder had never scored a free kick before this match.
“It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times, or it’s gone over the bar,” Rice explained. He credited his newfound confidence and a strategic decision to shoot directly rather than cross for his success.
Known primarily for his defensive prowess, Rice has been encouraged by teammates and manager Mikel Arteta to become a more attacking threat.
He attributed his goal-scoring breakthrough to a shift in mindset and increased confidence.
Arsenal’s dominant performance against an injury-plagued Real Madrid showcased their composure and intensity. However, Rice cautioned against underestimating the 15-time Champions League winners, stressing the importance of remaining focused for the second leg at the Bernabeu.
“We want to win this competition. But we have to take it one game at a time,” Rice stated.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham acknowledged his team’s poor performance and praised Arsenal’s quality. He conceded that Arsenal deserved their victory and created numerous scoring opportunities.
Despite the setback, Bellingham maintained hope for a comeback in the second leg, emphasising Real Madrid’s history of dramatic Champions League turnarounds.
He acknowledged that a “crazy” performance would be needed at the Bernabeu.
