Arsenal stunned Real Madrid with a 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. This puts Arsenal in a strong position heading into the second leg at Santiago Bernabéu.
Declan Rice scored two brilliant free-kicks in the second half, a first for him in his career. His performance drew comparisons to other stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, who have done the same in the Champions League.
Mikel Merino sealed the win with a third goal in the 75th minute, ensuring the game was out of Madrid’s reach. Arsenal’s defense was disciplined throughout, successfully neutralizing Madrid’s attacks.
This result boosts Arsenal’s chances of advancing to the semi-finals and strengthens the Premier League’s hold on a fifth Champions League spot for next season.
Looking ahead, Arsenal will aim to protect or extend their lead in the return leg. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will have to overcome a three-goal deficit to keep their title defense alive. This win marks a major milestone in Arsenal’s European campaign.
