Declan Rice curls in two brilliant free-kicks as Arsenal thrash Real Madrid in Champions League quarter-final first leg

Declan Rice score two goals from free-kicks and Mikel Merino clinched a first-time finish as Arsenal stunned Real Madrid with a 3-0 win at the Emirates in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice’s two fantastic free kicks and a striker’s finish from Mikel Merino secured a 3-0 victory over shocked holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at The Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts had the better of the first half as Real began slowly, with Eduardo Camavinga almost conceding a calamitous own goal when he blocked Antonio Rudiger’s clearance before Thomas Partey shot straight at goalkeeper Thibault Courtois.

Real, bidding for a record-extending 16th title in the competition, grew into the contest and threatened on the break, though their few opportunities came from Arsenal errors and the visitors looked disjointed throughout the contest.

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