Arsenal’s Declan Rice says he’s “speechless” after scoring not one but two sensational free-kicks in his side’s 3–0 victory over Real Madrid, marking a historic Champions League moment that he admits may “never sink in.”
The 26-year-old, who had never scored from a free-kick in 12 previous attempts, lit up the Emirates on Tuesday night (8 April) with two unstoppable strikes within just 13 minutes—becoming the first player in Champions League history to score twice from direct free-kicks in a knockout match.
“I don’t know whether it will ever sink in,” Rice told Amazon Prime after the match. “I’ve just gone back to my phone and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is special, but then to do it again… I’m speechless really.”
Rice stepped up ahead of regular free-kick takers Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard, seizing the moment with remarkable confidence. His decision even overruled instructions from set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who had signalled for a cross.
“It didn’t make sense from that angle to cross the ball,” Rice explained. “It would’ve had to be a delicate pass. I saw the space and told Bukayo I was confident. I’m happy I took it—it was magic.”
Despite the commanding first-leg scoreline, Rice was quick to temper expectations, highlighting the unpredictable danger that still lies ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“To beat Real Madrid in this competition—it’s a big night for us. But we know what they’re capable of. In 2022, they turned things around in incredible fashion. Even with a 3–0 lead, we can’t take anything for granted.”
Arsenal, seeking their first-ever Champions League title, will travel to Madrid with one foot in the semi-finals. But as Rice put it, “We want to win this competition, but we have to take it one game at a time.”
With confidence soaring and a star midfielder in unforgettable form, the Gunners have never looked more ready.
