Declan Rice defies the laws of physics with two outrageous free-kicks during Arsenal vs Real Madrid as Kylian Mbappe's reaction spotted
Declan Rice produced a free-kick masterclass against Real Madrid with heroics that left Kylian Mbappe and the 15-time European champions stunned.
Arsenal dominated large parts of the first half in the Champions League quarter-final first leg but couldn't quite find the final touch, with Thibaut Courtois in fine form and pulling off an outstanding double save.
But the Belgian shotstopper could do absolutely nothing to stop Rice from breaking the deadlock in the 58th minute.
From around 25 yards out, Rice did his best David Beckham impression and curled the ball right around the wall and past the diving Courtois for one of the Champions League goals of the season.
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DECLAN RICE WITH A MOMENT OF MAGIC 🪄
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
An excellent free kick from the Arsenal midfielder see's the host go in front#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/Vopmz8aCUZ
Rice has been extremely reliable with his deliveries from set-pieces all season but he conjured up an outrageous strike so impressive that Mbappe had his mouth open in disbelief.
When the cameras panned on both Mbappe and Rice's England teammate Jude Bellingham, neither could quite believe the phenomenal effort from the former West Ham midfielder.
Incredibly, Rice was not finished there as he proceeded to produce an even better set-piece stunner in the 70th minute.
Again Saka was fouled outside the box and Rice immediately grabbed the ball and set about stepping up again.
He duly repeated the sensational strike with one that eclipsed his first, bending the ball into the top corner from similar range to beat a sprawling Courtois for a second time.
Until Tuesday night, Rice had never scored from a direct free-kick in any of his 338 club appearances but then two came in a 12-minute period.
He now has seven goals and eight assists in what has been a brilliant season for the England international.
DECLAND RICE HAS DONE IT AGAIN 🤯
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
Another excellent free kick puts Arsenal up 2-0 at the Emirates#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/qzNcZVBtRI
The Emirates erupted again shortly after as Mikel Merino made it 3-0 with another exquisite finish from a Myles Lewis-Skelly cut-back to give Arsenal an extremely comfortable lead to take to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday 16 April.
Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp produce magic in Arsenal colours and Rice's free-kicks will no doubt be talked about Gunners fans for years to come - especially if they go all the way and win the one trophy which has evaded them.
Topics: Declan Rice, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Champions League
Josh Lawless