Declan Rice’s perfect bend scored 2 free kick goals in Arsenal vs. Real Madrid

Bend it like Rice: Declan Rice scores a pair of iconic free kick goals vs. Real Madrid

On Tuesday Arsenal welcomed Real Madrid to the Emirates for the opening leg of a Champions League quarterfinal.

They sent their supporters, who were in full voice throughout the highly-anticipated matchup, home happy with a 3-0 victory, thanks in large part to Declan Rice. The Arsenal midfielder scored on a dazzling pair of indirect free kicks, just 12 minutes apart, to stake the Gunners to an 2-0 lead.

The first came after Bukayo Saka drew a foul from David Alaba in the 57th minute. Rice then stood over the ball before bending in an incredible shot around the wall as well as the post, just out of reach of Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois:

It was an absolute banger from Declan Rice,” indeed.

But the Arsenal midfielder was not done, not by a longshot.

Saka drew another foul in the attacking third minutes later, as he was pulled down by Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Camavinga was shown a yellow card for his challenge, and after the dust settled Rice again stood over the ball.

Once again, he delivered a banger:

Arguably, finding the angle and the curve on this free kick is an even better strike than Rice’s first goal. “An air of disbelief around the stadium” set in, including from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

That disbelief was shared by none other than Kylian Mbappé:

Arsenal added a third goal in the 75th minute, as Mikel Merino slotted home this one-touch shot, to send the supporters at the Emirates supersonic:

Rice was substituted off the pitch minutes later, after suffering a knock.

But his job was done, in dazzling fashion:

The second leg of this quarterfinal match is set for Wednesday, April 16 at Bernabéu Stadium.