Overview
- Declan Rice scored two spectacular free kicks, his first-ever, to lead Arsenal to a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
- Mikel Merino added a third goal, capping off Arsenal's dominant performance at the Emirates Stadium and leaving Real Madrid with a steep deficit to overturn.
- Manager Mikel Arteta credited the electric atmosphere and Arsenal's tactical conviction, reinforced by his rallying cry to 'make it happen.'
- Bukayo Saka, who won both free-kicks, and Declan Rice both sustained minor injuries but are expected to be fit for the return leg at the Bernabéu.
- Real Madrid suffered their joint-heaviest Champions League knockout defeat, with Spanish media labeling the loss a 'humiliation' and questioning the team’s ability to stage a comeback.