Arsenal 3 – 0 Actual Madrid

Declan Rice scored two breathtaking free-kicks as Arsenal claimed a surprising 3-0 win over Champions League holders Actual Madrid of their quarter-final first leg on the Emirates Stadium.

The primary free-kick, when most have been anticipating Bukayo Saka to step up, noticed Rice, who had by no means beforehand scored a direct free-kick in his profession, whip a sensational effort across the wall and simply inside Thibaut Courtois’ left-hand submit within the 58th minute.

The purpose precipitated delirious celebrations among the many residence followers and Rice produced an excellent higher one barely 10 minutes later, this time outfoxing Courtois by going throughout purpose from the other facet, his sensible strike flying into the highest nook to go away Madrid shocked.

Arsenal’s night time received even higher when, solely 5 minutes later, Mikel Merino, once more beginning as a makeshift striker, despatched a sweetly-struck first-time end into the underside nook from the superb Myles Lewis-Skelly’s sq. move on the sting of the field.

Actual Madrid have been reeling and their collapse continued into stoppage time, when midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was despatched off after receiving a second yellow card.

Arsenal’s rampant second-half exhibiting adopted a breathless first interval by which either side spurned possibilities, with Thomas Partey having a header blocked on the road by his personal team-mate, William Saliba, and Courtois making a double save from Rice and Gabriel Martinelli.

Actual Madrid threatened on the break, with Kylian Mbappe blasting a one-on-one effort over earlier than seeing one other saved by David Raya, however the guests, 15-time winners on this competitors, provided nothing within the second half as Arsenal, impressed by Rice’s astonishing free-kicks, seized full management of the tie.

The hosts might have scored greater than three objectives, with Carlo Ancelotti’s facet needing two Courtois saves in fast succession, from Martinelli and Merino, both facet of a goal-line clearance by David Alaba, once more from Merino.

Ultimately, although, the three objectives have been sufficient to sentence Actual Madrid to their joint-heaviest defeat in a Champions League knockout sport, whereas permitting Arsenal to have a good time a well-known night time on the Emirates Stadium which makes them main favourites to advance to the semis in subsequent week’s second leg.

There was some concern, amid the joyous celebrations, with Saka and Rice each limping within the latter levels of the sport, however Arteta insisted their knocks didn’t look severe after the sport.

Merson: Arsenal’s biggest night time on the Emirates

Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson described the 3-0 victory as Arsenal’s “biggest night time” on the Emirates Stadium.

“I could not name this sport,” Merson mentioned on Soccer Particular.

“It is in all probability the best night time on the Emirates, it needs to be. These are the champions of Europe and Arsenal destroyed them.

“Three phenomenal objectives. I did not suppose folks might bend balls like that! Two phenomenal free-kicks and Merino; if Erling Haaland, Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe scored that, we would be speaking about it for years.

“I’d say the best night time on the Emirates. They need to get via the primary 20 minutes on the Bernabeu now, in the event that they rating early, you by no means know.

“It is Actual Madrid. The primary 20 minutes will likely be necessary, that place will likely be rocking.”

Rice’s historic feat – Opta stats

Rice turned the primary participant in Champions League historical past to attain two direct free-kick objectives in a knockout stage match. It was simply the fifth time total a participant has scored a couple of in the identical sport (additionally Cristiano Ronaldo, Hakim Ziyech, Neymar and Rivaldo).
Rice turned simply the fourth participant to attain from a direct free-kick within the Champions League for Arsenal (after Alberto Mendez, Thierry Henry x3, and Bukayo Saka). It was the primary scored in a knockout sport for the Gunners within the competitors.
Arsenal have scored 21 objectives from set-pieces throughout all competitions this season, excluding penalties. It’s the most by any Premier League workforce.

Ancelotti: We have been disappointing and poor

Actual Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti in his press convention:

“It has been very tough for us. We thought the workforce have been sturdy coming into the sport. Within the first half we have been organised.

“Then after the 2 objectives we conceded from free-kicks, the workforce struggled mentally and bodily. The extent dropped.

“It was tough, and the sport completed in that manner. Usually this workforce elevate their sport in direction of the top of video games. It was disappointing and poor.

“We have now to be crucial of ourselves right here and do every part we are able to subsequent week to get better.

“The probabilities are fairly low however we now have to attempt 100 per cent and do every part we are able to.

“It is a chance to point out a response to a pure sport.”