Declan Rice scored two breathtaking free-kicks as Arsenal claimed a surprising 3-0 win over Champions League holders Actual Madrid of their quarter-final first leg on the Emirates Stadium.
The primary free-kick, when most have been anticipating Bukayo Saka to step up, noticed Rice whip a sensational effort across the wall and simply inside Thibaut Courtois’ left-hand submit within the 58th minute.
The aim prompted delirious celebrations among the many residence followers and Rice produced an excellent higher one barely 10 minutes later, this time outfoxing Courtois by going throughout aim from the alternative facet, his sensible strike flying into the highest nook to depart Madrid surprised.
Arsenal’s night time received even higher when Mikel Merino, once more beginning as a makeshift striker, despatched a sweetly-struck first-time end into the underside nook from the wonderful Myles Lewis-Skelly’s sq. move.
Actual Madrid’s collapse continued into stoppage time, when midfielder Eduardo Camavinga acquired a second yellow card.
Arsenal’s rampant second-half exhibiting adopted a breathless first interval during which either side had possibilities to attain, with Thomas Partey seeing a header blocked on the road by his personal team-mate, William Saliba, and Courtois making a double save from Rice and Gabriel Martinelli.
Actual Madrid threatened on the break, with Kylian Mbappe blasting a one-on-one effort over earlier than seeing one other saved by David Raya, however the guests, 15-time winners on this competitors, supplied nothing within the second half as Arsenal, impressed by Rice, seized full management on a well-known night time on the Emirates Stadium.
Extra to observe…
