Arsenal vs Real Madrid: Declan Rice destroys 15-time UCL winners with 2 jaw-dropping freekicks; fans call it 'utterly insane'

Declan Rice, a name that echoed across the Emirates Stadium on a Tuesday night! Real Madrid, the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, couldn't even process the two back-to-back wonder goals by Arsenal's star performer during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg.

It was clearly the day for the Gunners, as they beat Los Blancos by 3-0 on three second-half goals. At halftime, which felt like it was a long time ago, the Kings were in a more comfortable position.

Arsenal no doubt shone out on Tuesday but were strikerless. In contrast, Real Madrid looked quite peaceful and happy with their pace and state of the game and capable of taking a scoreless draw back to Spain for the second leg on Wednesday until Rice came into play at the 58th minute.

Declan rice of arsenal vs Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/Fr6IeVqmBL

— MAPA (@1realmapa) April 8, 2025

Declan Rice's free kicks leave Real Madrid watching

The 58th minute was the most crucial moment of the match when Declan Rice beautifully struck a free-kick goal and left the stadium stunned.

Credit: X

But he did not stop there; following the first goal, in the 70th minute, he struck again. This time it was quite unbelievable for everyone watching the match. The goal took a dramatic turn, and Martin ?degaard, Rice's teammate, brought his hands to his head in disbelief.

On the other hand, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham simply shook his head, expressing the opposite side of the same emotion as Arsenal.

?? Declan Rice's free-kick prowess
?? Mikel Merino's goalscoring form
?? Breaking down Real Madrid

Every word from Mikel Arteta's press conference ?

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 8, 2025

Third goal by Arsenal, and Real Madrid lost it there

The second free kick in one single match was not a regular scene in yesterday's football. Rice ran towards the corner and mounted an advertising board, while Kylian Mbappe raised his eyebrows in shock.

But Arsenal was prepared to win yesterday after the third and final goal came in just five minutes later by Merino, and a triumphant roar lifted the Emirates Stadium.

Real Madrid have lost a game by 3+ goals for the 3rd time of the season:

- 4-0 vs Barcelona
- 5-2 vs Barcelona
- 3-0 vs Arsenal pic.twitter.com/fnI8ZxEF98

— The Screenshot Lad (@thescreenlad) April 8, 2025

Fans react to Declan Rice's wondergoals in Arsenal vs Real Madrid

Fans couldn't keep calm after witnessing the goals by Declan Rice, and they took to their social media to discuss the same. Amid this, a Reddit thread has gone viral that captions, "Declan Rice is the first player to score two direct free-kick goals in a knockout stage match in the UEFA Champions League. Precision."

Some still can't process the free kicks and are in disbelief. One said, "Hasn’t been taking them. His corners are unbelievable, though, so he knows how to strike a dead ball."

"People who don’t watch a lot of Arsenal always think it’s crazy he takes corners for how tall he is, but yeah, he’s a set piece god," another said.

"We rarely shoot from free kicks; he makes consistently amazing deliveries from set pieces, though. He also has a shot on him, so it isn't that big of a surprise that he can hit it. What is a surprise is that we didn't just cross it in the box lol"

"Deliveries yes but I never knew he had this in his locker"

Another said, "And two utterly insane free kicks. The first one already was good enough to make headlines. But the 2nd one right after? Absolute madness. This will be on Arsenal DVDs for decades."