BY: OSABUOHIEN IMUETINYANOSA
Arsenal took a stunning form and crushed real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Declan Rice took advantage of the incredible Saka’s foul at the front of Madrid’s box by the means of two free kicks, Rice scored two incredible goals, his first senior goals from direct free kicks, Thibault Courtois in the 58th minute, and the second, an even more impressive effort, finding the top corner in the 70th minute.and Mikel Merino sealed the win with an impressive tic – tac finish 15 minutes from time, leaving Real Madrid facing an uphill battle to overturn the deficit in the second leg.
The victory marked a significant statement of intent from Mikel Arteta’s side, who will look to finish the job in Madrid next week.
MATCH STATS
– Arsenal: Rice (58′, 70′), Merino (75′)
– Real Madrid: None
– Yellow cards: Camavinga (Real Madrid)
– Red cards: Camavinga (Real Madrid)
POST-MATCH REACTIONS
– “I’m very proud of the team. We played a complete game, and we deserved the win.” – Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager
– “We knew it would be a tough game, but we didn’t expect to lose 3-0. We have to regroup and try to overturn the deficit in the second leg.” – Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager
NEXT : CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
– Second leg: Real Madrid vs. Arsenal, April 16, 2025
– Semifinal draw: Winner of Arsenal/Real Madrid vs. Winner of Aston Villa/Paris Saint-Germain
