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Declan Rice scored his first-ever free-kick goals, a stunning brace, leading Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid.
Tuesday night was a career-defining moment for Declan Rice as the England international delivered one of the most unforgettable performances in Champions League history.
Arsenal’s commanding 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates was not just a triumph for the team—it was a personal milestone for Rice, who netted not one, but two free-kicks in sensational fashion.
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Pulse Sports looks at five things to know about the man of the moment.
5.Declan Rice Makes History with His First-Ever Free-Kick Goals
Before Tuesday night, Declan Rice had never scored a direct free-kick in his professional career.
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Across 338 matches, it just wasn’t part of his repertoire. But against Real Madrid, he not only broke that duck—he shattered it with a brace of stunning goals.
His first came in the 58th minute with the game deadlocked at 0-0.
A curling effort around the wall, past the outstretched arms of Thibaut Courtois, sent the Emirates into a frenzy. Just 12 minutes later, Rice repeated the feat, this time sending the ball into the top corner with jaw-dropping precision.
"I don’t think it’s going to hit me, what I’ve done tonight," Rice said after the game. "It’s a historic night."
4.Declan Rice Trusted His Instincts—and Saka Trusted Him Too
Normally, Arsenal’s free-kick duties fall to Bukayo Saka or Martin Ødegaard. But when the moment arrived, Rice felt something—and he went for it. Saka, showing true teammate spirit, backed him instantly.
“I saw the space and just told Saka I fancied it,” Rice revealed.
“He said, ‘If you feel it, go for it.’ That meant a lot. That little bit of trust helped me pull the trigger.”
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It turned out to be a wise choice. Even Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover was signaling for a cross—but Rice ignored the instruction and followed his instincts.
"It didn’t make sense to cross it from that angle," he added. "I’m happy I took it because it was magic."
3.Declan Rice Always Had the Strike—He Just Needed the Stage
Though not known for free-kicks, Rice has always had a powerful and clean strike of the ball.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had seen signs in training and was not shocked.
“If there’s a player who can do it, how clean he strikes it, it’s Declan,” Arteta said. “But you still have to execute it in the biggest game, and he did. Against one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It’s amazing.”
Midfielder Mikel Merino, who scored Arsenal’s third goal, echoed that sentiment.
“He has one of the best shooting abilities I’ve seen in my career. I’m not surprised. Hopefully more will come in the future.”
2.Declan Rice Is Proving He’s Worth Every Penny
Arsenal paid £100m plus £5m in add-ons to sign Rice from West Ham in July 2023, in what was the club’s biggest-ever transfer outlay. That kind of fee brings expectation—and pressure. But Rice is showing he’s built for both.
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He joined after captaining West Ham to a European trophy, and now he's guiding Arsenal through their own European adventure.
“You only ever get one career, and I really believe in what Mikel is building here,” Rice said at the time of his signing.
“I’ve come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club.”
1.Declan Rice Is a Born Leader—and a Legend in the Making
Since the first moment he stepped into West Ham’s senior squad, Rice was a commanding presence. By 2022, he was club captain.
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At Arsenal, he is not officially wearing the armband, but performances like Tuesday’s show he leads in other ways—through character, courage, and clutch moments.
He has already played in major tournaments for England, lifted a European trophy, anhas d now written his name into Champions League history books as the first player to score two free-kicks in a knockout match.
“In football, amazing opportunities arise,” he said.
“Big clubs like Arsenal came for me, and it’s hard to turn that down. I know I’ve got more levels to go, and Arteta is the manager to take me there.”
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