The Emirates roared after Declan Rice stood over the ball, eyes locked on goal, and what followed was a moment of glory when his name was carved into Champions League history.

But in the heat of the moment, it wasn’t a carefully scripted masterpiece—it was instinct, boldness, and a flash of brilliance that left Real Madrid and their fans stunned, Footballrover reports.

Rice has now become the first player ever to score two direct free kicks in a UEFA Champions League knockout match.

And reflecting on that jaw-dropping feat, the Arsenal midfielder offered insight that makes the story even more compelling.

“I just went for it” – Rice breaks down the first strike

Speaking after the match, Declan Rice admitted the first of his history-making free kicks wasn’t even the plan.

“Originally I was going to cross it. But then I saw the wall and Courtois’ position and thought, “I’ll just go for it,” he said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

The result? A curling, unstoppable shot that crashed into the net and gave Arsenal a deserved lead over the La Liga giants.

The decision came down to sharp awareness and a split-second call that paid off in stunning fashion.

Rice’s confidence ignites Champions League magic

His second free kick was even better. With confidence now soaring, Declan Rice ignored the pressure and rifled home a beauty into the top corner.

“I just had the confidence to hit it,” he added.

These history-making free kicks weren’t just goals—they were statements. They defined a night that could shape Arsenal’s Champions League destiny.

And for Rice, it was the reward for lessons learnt from “hitting the wall too many times”.

With a brace against 10-man Real Madrid, he was able to rewrite the record books, and the Arsenal star didn’t just shine—he soared into history.

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Last Updated on April 9, 2025 12:36 am by Sir Kris