Declan Rice's two stunning free kicks and Mikel Merino's goal brought Arsenal a convincing 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a total of five saves, but was helpless against three goals from the home team. Those were all dangerous shots from Arsenal players.
In the 58th minute, Bukayo Saka brought a free kick to Arsenal in the right corner of the front with a distance of about 30 m. Assistant Nicolas Jover came close to the line and told Declan Rice something before the English midfielder took a free kick. This was also Rice's first goal from a direct free kick.
Rice's second free kick is even more beautiful than the first situation when the ball flew straight into the corner of the goal in the 70th minute. The British midfielder became the first player to score more than 1 goal from the free kicks in a match of the Champions League knockout.
Merino sealed the victory for Arsenal in the 75th minute. The Spaniard finished calmly from a pass from substitute Leandro Trossard, giving Arsenal a significant advantage before the match against Real Madrid next week.
Real Madrid were inferior to Arsenal for most of the match. They have barely created any dangerous opportunities other than Kylian Mbappe's escape to the left wing in the first half.
Los Blancos will have to try to create a miracle in the second leg without Camavinga, who received a second yellow card in the final seconds.
The winning team in this match will face Aston Villa or Paris St Germain in the semi-finals.
