Declan Rice celebrates after scoring one of his two magnificent free-kicks. PHOTO/Arsenal FC
By AGENCIES
In a truly unforgettable night at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory over 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid, sending shockwaves through the footballing world.
The Gunners, written off by many as underdogs before the match, displayed a performance that left the Spanish giants reeling.
Midfielder Declan Rice was the hero of the evening, scoring a remarkable brace from free kicks in the second half. His first strike, a perfectly curled shot around the Madrid wall, sparked wild celebrations in the 58th minute.
Just 10 minutes later, Rice did it again, delivering an even more sublime effort into the top corner of the net, leaving Real Madrid’s defence in disarray.
Mikel Merino, deployed as a makeshift striker for the night, sealed the victory with a clinical first-time finish, completing a night that will go down in Arsenal history.
This was the first time the two clubs had met since 2006, and Arsenal’s triumph at home sets the stage for a mouth-watering return leg in Madrid next week.
The atmosphere in North London was electric from the start, with the crowd buzzing ahead of the highly anticipated encounter. The pre-match atmosphere reached a fever pitch as fans sang “North London Forever,” igniting the stadium and setting the tone for a thrilling contest.
Although the first half ended goalless, it was far from dull. Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe was a constant threat, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was equal to his challenge, pulling off a crucial save.
At the other end, Thomas Partey forced Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois into action, while Vinicius Junior and Mbappe had their own chances for the visitors.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, making his return to the starting lineup, caused Madrid all sorts of problems with his dangerous crosses, but neither side could break the deadlock before the break.
However, the second half was all Arsenal. Rice’s two stunning free kicks, followed by Merino’s composed finish, sealed the deal, and when Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in stoppage time, it was clear that the Spanish side’s night had gone from bad to worse.
Despite the huge result, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained cautious, stressing that the tie is only halfway through. “We have one more big challenge ahead of us,” Arteta said, keeping his focus on the crucial second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This remarkable victory moves Arsenal one step closer to their first Champions League semifinal appearance in 16 years. Should they complete the job in Madrid, they will face either Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final. The Gunners, now full of belief, are dreaming bigger than ever before.
