Declan Rice showed the full range of his brilliance—his quality, audacity and authority—as he inspired Arsenal to a famous win. They then defeated Real Madrid by an impressive 3-0 margin in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. This midfield-howitzer of a free kick — one of two scores that day. Perhaps the most underrated All-Star performance this side of Victor Wanyama’s best-at-pea-shooting set-piece specialist was from set-piece supremo. This match marked a significant moment for Rice, who had never converted a direct free kick in over 300 senior career games before this historic encounter.
The match started under the lights at the Emirates Stadium on a pulsating night. Arsenal went toe-to-toe with the record 15-time Champions League winners as the stakes were raised even higher. Arsenal were under tremendous pressure to succeed. Rice did not just meet expectations, he exceeded them with a truly epic performance!
A Bold Decision Pays Off
During the build-up to his first free kick, Rice spoke with Ødegaard, who advised him to whip it into the box. Rice decided to launch the shot himself, a smart move as it demonstrated his resolve and swagger. Then, with his right foot, he perfectly curled the ball around the defensive wall. The shot curled round the outside of the post, giving goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois zero chance to save. It was a strike that would have had Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos dreaming.
“(Jover’s) claiming it but he’s told me to cross it! You have to make the most of these moments in games. I’m happy I took it because it was a magic moment.” – Declan Rice
Rice’s opening goal was an important tone-setter for the game. It gave belief and focus to the Arsenal team and it ignited the home supporters into a dramatic frenzy. This one step—taking the shot instead of heeding Ødegaard’s counsel—made all the difference. This audacious gambit was indeed a game-changer.
Confidence Breeds Success
After niggling his first goal, Rice was pumped up with assurance. He would do it again almost immediately as he unflinchingly stepped up to take another dangerous free kick. On his second try, he pulled off an even more remarkable shot. This time, the ball dropped and knuckled its way into the upper 90-net. Rice is the first player in Champions League knockout-round history to score two direct free kicks. He didn’t stop there — he accomplished this incredible feat in under 13 minutes!
“Then after the first one I just had the confidence (for the second one) and had nothing to lose.” – Declan Rice
His unforgettable performance was a glimpse into his genius. It was a real testament to Arsenal’s ability to capitalize on the key moments during tense, meaningful matches.
Managerial Praise
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed what Rice brings to the side, stating that his goals were “sublime” and “scary” in terms of what the club had already acquired. Arteta reflected his appreciation for the long-awaited and deserved reward from set pieces. He lightly sniped that it was September of 2021 when Arsenal last scored a direct free kick.
“That’s the beauty of whoever invented this sport. We hadn’t scored a (direct) free kick since September 2021. And tonight, against Real Madrid at home in the Champions League, we scored two in 13 minutes,” – Mikel Arteta
Arteta acknowledged Rice’s exceptional striking ability, stating, “If there’s a player who can do it, how clean he strikes it, it’s Declan.”
Leave a Reply