Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid: European champs on the ropes after Rice delivers free kicks

Arsenal are 90 minutes away from the UEFA Champions League semifinals after Declan Rice delivered a pair of sensational free kicks and blew Tuesday’s first-leg clash with Real Madrid wide open, now the Gunners hold a 3-0 lead over the reigning European champions.

MORE – Full Champions League schedule

Nearly an hour into the first leg at Emirates Stadium, things were scoreless with scant few chances for either side — just the way Madrid wanted it — until Rice stepped up to take free kick no. 1 in the 58th minute. Around the wall, outside the post, back in, and into the back of the net. You can’t do it much better than that, no matter how many time you try. 12 minutes later, free kick no. 2, only this one was even more jaw-dropping. Over the wall, full power, an arrow into the top corner. 6-foot-7 Thibaut Courtois might as well have been 5-foot-8 on the night.

WATCH – Not one, but two unreal free kicks from Declan Rice

By that point, Real Madrid were on the ropes and Arsenal grabbed a third goal through Mikel Merino in the 75th minute. Lewis Myles-Skelly broke down the left wing and cut a cross back to the top of the box where Merino was waiting to hook his left foot around the ball and and guide it into the bottom corner.

Mikel Arteta’s side will take their three-goal advantage to Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday (3 pm ET), with the winner advancing to the semifinals to face either PSG or Aston Villa.

Player ratings – Arsenal vs Real Madrid

What’s next?

• Arsenal vs Brentford — Saturday, 12:30 pm ET
• Alaves vs Real Madrid — Sunday, 10:15 am ET
• Real Madrid vs Arsenal — Wednesday, April 6, 3 pm ET (second leg)

Arsenal vs Real Madrid live update – by Andy Edwards

Arsenal vs Real Madrid final score: 3-0

Goalscorers: Declan Rice (58′, 70′), Mikel Merino (75′)

RED CARD! Camavinga gets a second yellow with seconds left to play (90’+4)

GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid: Merino curls Myles-Skelly’s cross home (75′)

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid: Rice does it again with another spectacular free kick (70′)

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid: Rice bends a free kick around the wall from 25 yards (58′)

DOUBLE SAVE! Courtois stops Rice’s header and Martinelli’s follow-up (45′)

Jurrien Timber served up a delightful cross that found Declan Rice near the penalty spot, but Thibaut Courtois was in the right spot to make a diving save before quickly scrambling back to his feet to deny Gabriel Martinelli on the rebound.

SAVE! Mbappe gets in behind but hits it right at Raya (31′)

Real Madrid’s first real chance of the game and the first time they managed to stretch Arsenal’s defense, but Kylian Mbappe couldn’t put the power or placement required as he raced down the left and turned to shoot with his right.

Arsenal starting lineup

Raya – Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly – Partey, Rice, Odegaard – Saka, Martinelli, Merino

Real Madrid starting lineup

Courtois – Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba – Camavinga, Modric, Bellingham – Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappe

How to watch Arsenal vs Real Madrid live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (April 8)

Venue: Emirates Stadium — London

TV/Streaming: Paramount+

Mikel Arteta’s side will fancy their chances of knocking off Carlo Ancelotti’s side too, as on their day we know the quality of this Arsenal side. They drew 1-1 at Everton on Saturday as Arteta rested several key players but were still left bemoaning referring decisions once again (Arteta and Ancelotti can console each other about that this season…) as they’re 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with seven games to go. That is why all of their focus is on winning the Champions League and getting Bukayo Saka back fit ahead of this game is a huge bonus, as Arsenal have saved some of their best performances for the Champions League this season.

As for Real Madrid, well, they also rested plenty of players at the weekend but they lost 2-1 at home late on to struggling Valencia and that has hit their La Liga title hopes hard. Like Arsenal, Ancelotti’s side have had to deal with injury issues to key players all season long (especially in defense) but they are finding ways to win games late on time and time again. It’s in their DNA. With Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and countless other superstars around, there is so much talent and experience in this Real Madrid side and after a poor group stage campaign and shaky last 16 victory against Atletico Madrid on penalty kicks, somehow they’re in the last eight once again. Who would bet against them to defend their crown?

Arsenal team news, focus

The Gunners are dealing with injury problems at the back as influential center back Gabriel is out for the rest of the season after suffering a hamstring issue. That means Jakub Kiwior is likely to start alongside William Saliba. But either Ben White or Jurrien Timber could slot in there too. In midfield the trio of Partey, Odegaard and Rice will start, while in attack it will likely be Trossard, Merino and Saka but don’t be surprised if Martinelli starts on the left due to his tracking back and Trossard starts up top with Merino dropping to the bench.

OUT: Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring – out for season – MORE), Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Kai Havertz (hamstring – out for season – MORE), Gabriel Jesus (torn ACL – out for season), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee)

Real Madrid team news, focus

Ancelotti has some big calls to make and is sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Courtois. The former has been struggling with knee injuries all season but is in the squad, while Lunin wasn’t fit enough to travel to London. Tchouameni is suspended which means veteran Luka Modric could start in central midfield but there’s also a spot there for Eduardo Camavinga alongside Federico Valverde. Left back is also a concern for Real as Ferland Mendy is out injured so Fran Garcia may be tasked with stopping Saka. Up top we know Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappe are huge threats on the counter and Mbappe has been in fine form in recent weeks, and so too has Bellingham. Real have so many players who can swing the game in their favor in the blink of an eye.

OUT: Dani Carvajal (ACL, out for season), Eder Militao (ACL, out for season), Aurelien Tchouameni (suspension), Andriy Lunin (muscular), Ferland Mendy (hamstring), Dani Ceballos (muscular)

Arsenal vs Real Madrid prediction

This feels like it will end in a tight, tense win for the hosts and it will be all to play for in Madrid next week. Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid.