April 9 – With two stunning freekicks from Declan Rice, Arsenal stormed to a 3-0 victory against Real Madrid to leave the European champions on the brink of elimination ahead of the quarter-final second leg.
Arsenal preserved their unbeaten record against Madrid in the competition following one of the great nights of European football in North London. In the second half, Arsenal did not simply outclass but they blew away their opponents. In 17 frantic minutes, Rice and his team knocked Madrid to the canvas and how – with exceptional freekicks and a wonderful finish from makeshift striker Mikel Merino. It was a masterpiece with subtle but devastating brushes.
In the 58th minute, Rice did something he had never done before – score from a direct freekick. He smacked the ball around the wall with so much curl to take the ball a couple of centimetres inside the near post. Courtois flew and flew but could not get near it. Then Rice did it again. His second freekick and goal was perhaps even more spectacular, more precise, with a flight and swerve of the ball that left the Belgian goalkeeper without a chance again.
Arsenal’s third goal in the 75th minute was modest by Rice’s standards, but still superb. Merino hit the ball with just enough spin to take the ball inside the near post. The quality of the finish matched the build-up play after Myles Lewis-Skelly had zipped infield to square the ball for Merino. Madrid never recovered from Arsenal’s three-goal burst. Instead, Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in injury time with a second booking.
Arsenal delivered on their biggest night yet in the post-Wenger era.
The first half had been balance and, at times, cagey. The hosts had the upper hand in the opening exchanges and Bukayo Saka’s cross deflected off Camavinga just wide. In the 13th minute, Thomas Partey forced a save from Courtois with a low drive.
However, the Gunners looked suspect to the counterattack and the speed of Vinicius Junior. At the half-hour mark, Mbappé enjoyed a big opportunity. He timed his run perfectly but opening up his body, Thierry-Henry style, he hit the ball too close to David Raya. Arsenal’s promising start had evaporated.
Saka remained industrious but lacked a striker by his side to deliver the final touch and a finish. On the stroke of half-time, Arsenal did come close but inevitably found Courtois on their way. The Belgian keeper kept out a header from Declan Rice and the rebound from Gabriel Martinelli.
After the opening goal, Arsenal ramped up the pressure as the best was yet to come.
Arsenal are in dreamland but travel to the Bernabeu next week in the full knowledge that Madrid can never be counted out.
Rice said: “The manager just said to us: even though we’re 3-0 up, the individual quality they have is scary. And the Bernabeu’s the Bernabeu: on Champions League nights, special things happen for them. We’re not going there to defend, we want to attack, we want to be in the Champions League semi-final. We’re looking forward to it already.”
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