Declan Rice etched his name into Champions League folklore on Tuesday night as Arsenal cruised to a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final clash at the Emirates Stadium — courtesy of two breathtaking free-kicks from the England midfielder.
Prior to the match, Rice had never scored from a free-kick in his professional career. In fact, he had only taken 12 in total.
But in game number 339, the 26-year-old stunned both fans and critics alike by netting not just one, but two curling strikes that left Madrid’s defence — and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — helpless.
The breakthrough came in the 58th minute with the tie finely poised at 0-0. After Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges but failed to capitalise, Rice stood over the ball just outside the penalty area. With confidence and precision, he whipped the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner past Courtois, sending the Emirates into raptures.
Twelve minutes later, history was made. From a similar distance, Rice repeated the feat — this time aiming higher, curling a stunning shot into the top corner that even the outstretched arms of the towering Belgian keeper couldn’t reach.
The goal made Rice the first player in Champions League history to score two free-kicks in a knockout match. The Emirates erupted once again, with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and manager Mikel Arteta visibly stunned on the touchline — both clutching their heads in disbelief.
Among the spectators was Brazilian legend and former Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos, known for his own set-piece prowess. The cameras caught the usually animated icon sitting silently, his expression a mix of astonishment and resignation.
“I don’t know whether it will ever sink in,” Rice said in a post-match interview with Amazon Prime. “I’ve gone back to my phone and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one… I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really.”
The victory was sealed with a late strike from Bukayo Saka, but the night belonged to Rice. His brace not only gives Arsenal a strong advantage heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, but it also reaffirms the midfielder’s transformation since his move from West Ham United.
“This is a historic night for us,” said Arteta. “What Declan has done — it’s world-class. He’s always pushing to improve and today he showed he can deliver on the biggest stage.”
Arsenal, chasing their first Champions League title, now have one foot in the semi-finals. But for Rice, the moment will live forever. After 338 games without a free-kick goal, he needed just one night to change the narrative completely.
“Sometimes,” Rice smiled, “you just have to believe.”
