LONDON — Arsenal don do one of di biggest European displays for dia history on Tuesday as dem beat Real Madrid for Emirates Stadium, take firm control of dia Champions League quarterfinal tie.
Rice deliver magical performance wey leave Real Madrid goalkeeper speechless, as e score two stunning second-half free kicks before Merino add one more to give Arsenal 3-0 lead. Dis na Rice first time e don score direct free kick for im career, and e do am twice within 12 minutes.
Di first goal wey Rice score for 58th-minute come from nearly 32 yards, as e beat Real Madrid wall wey no fit stop di shot. Di second goal show his precision as e curled di ball into di top corner. Merino follow up five minutes later with smart finish, sealing di victory and leaving Real Madrid in shock.
Real Madrid struggle wey begin before di game continue when dem waste plenty chances in di first half, mostly thanks to Courtois, di goalkeeper, wey make numerous important saves. But as di game go on, Madrid’s night take worse turn as they lost one player to red card after getting second yellow for dissent.
Since 2009, Arsenal never reach di Champions League semifinals, but dis impressive win don put dem in good position to achieve dat, as dem now dey face a big task to keep di lead in di second leg next week.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta don encourage im team to “build our own story” even as dem face Madrid, wey be 15-time winners full of top stars. Di victory come when Arsenal don miss plenty key players because of injury, but dem shine bright against di defending champions.
Arteta talk say, “We never score direct free kick since September 2021, so for two come from Rice in dis kind of high-stakes game, dat a miracle. We dey ginger ourselves to prepare for di next leg wit di same high level.”
While Madrid fans expected Mbappé and Vinícius to perform better, dem had few chances to shine as Arsenal defend well against dem. Mbappé register three shots but none wey test Arsenal goalkeeper seriously.
Dis result bring new hope for Arsenal fans wey don dey ask for silverware, especially after dem drop off in di title race. Di Gunners feel say, if dem fit maintain dis form, dem get chance to bring trophy home dis season.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti fit need to strategize more for di second leg as dem plan to overturn di 3-0 deficit. History dey with dem, but dis kind big challenge no go easy.
In di end, Rice’s magical night wey see am score twice don turn Arsenal fans into believers as dem dey hope for more success in di Champions League.
