Arsenal took a commanding step toward the Champions League semi-finals with a resounding 3-0 victory over reigning champions Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a second-half masterclass from Declan Rice.
The England international delivered two jaw-dropping free-kicks, his first ever in competitive football, to put the Gunners in firm control of the quarter-final first leg.
Mikel Merino added a third goal to seal a night of dominance, as Real’s Eduardo Camavinga received a late red card for dissent.
Rice’s strikes stunned even the experienced Thibaut Courtois, who was left flailing as both set-pieces flew past him.
His unexpected proficiency from dead balls capped off a complete performance from Mikel Arteta’s side, who outplayed a struggling and injury-plagued Real squad.
Arteta had dubbed the clash the biggest of his coaching career, and his players responded with a display that will be remembered as one of Arsenal’s greatest European nights.
The North Londoners will head to Madrid on April 16 as favourites to face either PSG or Aston Villa in the semi-final.
Despite trailing Liverpool by a wide margin in the Premier League title race, Arsenal’s Champions League campaign now offers their best shot at silverware this season — and perhaps a return to the final for the first time since 2006.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, endured a sobering defeat. Big names like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe failed to leave a mark, and the Spanish giants now face an uphill task at the Bernabeu if they are to salvage their European hopes.