On April 8, 2025, Declan Rice delivered a performance for the ages in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. The England midfielder, who had never scored a direct free-kick in his 338 previous professional games, stunned the football world by curling two sensational free-kicks past Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois in a span of just 12 minutes.
The first goal came in the 58th minute, when Rice stepped up to a set-piece just outside the penalty area. After a quick discussion with teammate Bukayo Saka, who encouraged him to “feel it,” Rice bent the ball around the Madrid wall with a vicious curl, leaving Courtois helpless as it nestled into the net.
The Emirates erupted, and the moment felt like a turning point in the match.
Then, in the 70th minute, Rice did it again. From a slightly different angle, he unleashed another pinpoint strike into the top corner, a shot so perfect that even Courtois, one of the world’s best goalkeepers, could do nothing but watch.
Mikel Merino added a third goal later, but Rice’s double was the headline act, making him the first player in Champions League history to score two direct free-kicks in a knockout-stage match.
Rice himself was left “speechless,” admitting post-match that the magnitude of his achievement hadn’t fully sunk in. He credited his confidence in the moment, noting how he saw gaps in the wall and Courtois’ positioning, opting to shoot rather than cross as originally planned.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Rice’s determination, revealing that the team hadn’t scored a direct free-kick since September 2021, making the feat even more remarkable. The performance not only showcased Rice’s technical brilliance but also silenced any lingering doubts about his £105 million price tag from his 2023 move from West Ham. With Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga sent off late, Arsenal head to the second leg on April 16 in a commanding position, thanks to Rice’s unforgettable masterclass.
