Arsenal 3 – 0 Real Madrid
After two spectacular free-kick goals from Declan Rice, Mikel Merino found the back of the net to seal the win for Arsenal.
The first half was relatively even, but in the second half, Real Madrid disappeared from the game. With two brilliant free-kick goals from Rice, the European champions were left reeling and suffered a heavy defeat.
In the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday night, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0. After Rice’s brace, Merino added a goal to complete the dominant victory.
Before the match, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had warned his teammates about Arsenal’s set-pieces, but it was those very set-pieces that caused them to crumble. Rice’s stunning free-kicks left the Spanish side in disarray, unable to recover.
Arsenal dominated possession, holding 54% of the ball and taking 12 shots, 11 of which were on target. In contrast, Real Madrid only managed to get 3 of their 9 shots on target.
In added time, Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Real Madrid’s first opportunity came early in the match when Kylian Mbappé tried a surprise shot from 30 yards, but it was easily saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
In the 6th minute, Antonio Rüdiger’s clearance almost turned into an own goal, as his shot deflected off Camavinga and narrowly missed the post.
Arsenal had a close call in the following minute when Thomas Partey’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by William Saliba, deflecting off the bar.
In the 13th minute, Vinicius Jr. missed a curling shot from inside the box. Ten minutes later, Mbappé missed a great opportunity, firing a shot straight at Raya after a perfect pass from Jude Bellingham.
In the 37th minute, Rice missed a glorious chance after a brilliant cross from Bukayo Saka.
Just before halftime, Courtois made a double save to keep Real Madrid in the game, denying Rice’s header and Gabriel Martinelli’s follow-up shot.
In the second half, Rice broke the deadlock with another amazing free-kick, curling it into the near post in the 58th minute. Courtois had no chance despite diving for the ball.
Nine minutes later, Courtois made a brilliant double save, with Real Madrid’s David Alaba and Bellingham clearing the ball off the line to prevent a bigger deficit.
But Arsenal’s pressure continued, and in the 70th minute, Rice struck again with another incredible free-kick that left Courtois with no chance of stopping.
Arsenal were awarded two free-kicks in dangerous areas due to fouls on Saka by Alaba and Camavinga.
In the 75th minute, Mikel Merino sealed the win with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box after receiving a pass from Miles Lewis-Skelly.
The match ended with neither side able to create any further chances, and in added time, Camavinga was shown a second yellow card, leaving him out of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 16.
