Who knew that Declan Rice would be able to bend a free-kick like Beckham? In the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final. And not just once, either. On a red-letter occasion for Arsenal, probably the finest since the Emirates Stadium opened in 2006, their key midfielder brought the house down; Real Madrid to their knees, as well.
It is never wise to write off the Champions League holders, the 15‑time winners – the club that have the patent on astonishing comebacks. Surely not this time.
Written by David Hytner at the Emirates Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/08/arsenal-real-madrid-champions-league-quarter-final-first-leg-match-report under the title “Declan Rice’s double rocket sinks Real Madrid to put Arsenal in dreamland”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
