From never to double magic — the night Declan Rice left Real Madrid stunned and Europe speechless
From Zero to Hero: Rice’s Free-Kick Fairytale Begins
Declan Rice scored his first ever freekick goal in his 339-game professional career. As at game 338, he had he had none.
Not just one but two spectacular goals — and both came in a jaw-dropping 3-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the first leg of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates.
The England midfielder, known more for breaking up attacks than taking set-pieces, stunned fans, pundits, and even his own teammates with two curling masterpieces past Thibaut Courtois.
His first came in the 58th minute to break the deadlock, the second a thunderous top-corner rocket 12 minutes later that had jaws dropping around the stadium — and left Brazilian free-kick icon Roberto Carlos looking shaken in the stands.
“I don’t think it’s going to hit me, what I’ve done tonight,” said a stunned Rice post-match. “It’s a historic night.”
A Night of Firsts and Records
Rice’s brace wasn’t just personal glory — it was history. He became the first player to score two free-kicks in a Champions League knockout match, and gave Arsenal their first direct free-kick goal since September 2021 (despite Opta noting a Saka fluke against PSG in 2024).
The fact Rice had only taken 12 free-kicks in his entire career before Tuesday makes the feat even more astonishing.
“We were going to touch and set it — me and Martin — but Mbappe was too close,” Rice revealed. “So I thought, I’ve got the keeper’s side. I practise this so much — I’m going to go for it.”
Odegaard, Arteta, Jover — All in Disbelief
After the second goal, cameras caught Martin Odegaard and Mikel Arteta with their hands on their heads, utterly stunned.
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover had actually signalled Rice to cross — but Rice ignored it, trusting his instincts.
“I’m happy I took it, because it was magic,” Rice said, beaming. “Even Jover is claiming it now — but it’s all good!”
Arteta, glowing with pride, added:
“He can claim it if he wants — it doesn’t matter. It’s incredible.”
The Numbers Tell the Story
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338 games, 0 free-kicks. Game 339? Two.
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First-ever player to score two free-kicks in a UCL knockout match.
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Arsenal’s 3-0 win = Real Madrid’s joint-heaviest UCL KO defeat.
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Rice = joint-second most set-piece assists in Europe over past two seasons.
“He Single-Handedly Made the Difference”
Pundits were in awe. Alan Shearer called Rice’s second goal “absolutely incredible,” while Clarence Seedorf quipped “not even Superman would get it.”
Former Gunner Matthew Upson said Rice “single-handedly made the difference.”
Teammate and goalscorer Mikel Merino added:
“He has one of the best shooting abilities I’ve seen in my career.”
But the Bernabeu Awaits…
Despite the dominant win, Rice and Arsenal know the job isn’t done. Real Madrid have never come back from a 3-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League — but if there’s one place that can rewrite history, it’s the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Even if we’re 3-0 up, the individual quality they have is scary,” Rice admitted.
“At the Bernabeu, special things happen.”
Still, with Declan Rice now adding “free-kick maestro” to his growing resume, Arsenal fans might believe something special is happening in North London too.
The second leg is on April 16. Buckle up.
