AFCON 2025
Arsenal are in prime position to qualify for the last four of this season’s UEFA Champions League after humiliation defending champions Real Madrid.
English midfielder Declan Rice stole the show at the Emirates on Tuesday night as he scored two sublime free-kicks in the 3-0 win.
Rice scored twice in the second after to put the game beyond the reach of Carlo Ancelotti’s men as he became the first player to score two free-kicks in the knockout stage of the competition.
The Gunners were completely dominant from the blast of the first whistle but struggled in the final third in the first half.
Kylian Mbappe had the chance to give Real Madrid the lead from a counterattack move, but David Raya showed brilliant composure to stop the French captain from finding the back of the net.
The first half ended goalless, with Arsenal being the better side as they dominated possession and controlled the game.
Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal came to an end in the 58th minute as he bent a sublime free-kick beyond Thibault Courtois.
The English midfielder struck again with another masterclass free-kick to double Arsenal’s lead in the 70th minute.
Arsenal’s make-shift striker Mikel Merino compounded Real Madrid’s woes on the night as he added the third to give the Gunners a comprehensive 3-0 win ahead of the trip to the Santiago Bernabeau next week.
