Real Madrid Loses to Arsenal 3-0 as Declan Rice Wins the Knockout Match

Declan Rice scored two goals to lead Arsenal to a resounding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the quarterfinal round.

On Tuesday night, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff match thanks to an incredible second half effort.

Declan Rice scored two goals from free kicks and substitute Mikel Merino added a third goal in the second half. The Premier League team is well-positioned going into the second leg in Madrid thanks to the victory.

In the 58th minute, after persistent pressure from the home team, Rice scored a freekick from the edge of the area to break the goalless first half. Twelve minutes later, in the 70th minute, the midfielder scored another free kick to double Arsenal’s lead.

When Merino, who had just replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly, scored in the 75th minute to make it 3-0, Arsenal’s supremacy was further cemented.

Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card after receiving his first in the 69th minute, leaving Real Madrid with 10 men at the end of the game.

For the majority of the game, Arsenal dominated the pace, holding a 53% possession advantage and having 11 shots on goal to Madrid’s 3. Throughout the game, the Spanish team was only able to muster three corner kicks and two blocked shots due to their inability to generate clear opportunities.

The outcome represents a major blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s club, who now have a challenging assignment at the Santiago Bernabéu in the second leg.