Declan Rice’s stellar performance, featuring two remarkable free kicks and a strike from Mikel Merino, propelled Arsenal to a dominant 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.
The match began with Arsenal displaying strong control, as Real Madrid started sluggishly, almost conceding an own goal through Eduardo Camavinga’s mishap. Although Real Madrid managed to threaten on the break, Arsenal’s defense held firm, showcasing a solid performance throughout the first half. Thibault Courtois, Real’s goalkeeper, was notably busy, making a stunning double save before halftime to keep the score level.
The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Rice scored his first senior goal from a direct free kick, with a stunning strike that curled around the wall and past Courtois. “It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over. I thought… just go for it,” Rice reflected on his breakthrough moment.
Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure, and after a string of efforts thwarted by Courtois, Rice netted his second free kick in the 70th minute, curling it into the top corner, leaving Real Madrid stunned. Mikel Merino sealed the scoring with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner following a pull-back from Leandro Trossard, giving Arsenal a significant advantage to take into the second leg in Madrid next week.
Real Madrid will have to overcome that deficit without Camavinga, who was sent off for a second yellow card in the final moments of the match. Despite a few chances from Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid struggled to find their rhythm, raising concerns with 11 goals conceded over their last four games across competitions. Arsenal, on the other hand, has not lost a European tie when scoring three goals in the opening leg, further enhancing their confidence going into the next match.
Lucas Vazquez acknowledged the challenges his team faced, stating, “The tie is complicated, but if there’s one team in the world that can turn it around, it’s us, in our stadium and with our fans.” The overall atmosphere hints at an uphill battle for Real Madrid, while Arsenal continues to build momentum, showcasing their growth and resilience in the Champions League. Their recent form is certainly promising, signaling potential for advancement not just in Europe, but also in their domestic pursuits this season.
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