London, April 9 || Two sensational Declan Rice free-kicks and a fine Mikel Merino finish saw Arsenal demolish Real Madrid 3-0 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Arsenal controlled the early exchanges, and came close twice in quick succession in the 13th minute, Declan Rice having an effort blocked by Raul Asencio before Thibaut Courtois parried Thomas Partey’s low strike.
The tempo only increased as the half went on and decisive goalkeeping interventions were required at either end, David Raya saving from Kylian Mbappé at close range and Courtois keeping out a Rice header and a Gabriel Martinelli follow-up with an eye-catching double save, UEFA reports.
With both goalkeepers in fine form, it seemed that only a moment of outstanding quality would break the deadlock as the second half began, and it was Arsenal who found it in the 58th minute. Twice denied by Courtois before the break, Rice's ferocious free-kick left the Real Madrid goalkeeper helpless as it curled inside the post.
The Arsenal pressure continued to mount with four efforts blocked in quick succession, and Rice was presented with another opportunity to take aim from a free-kick in the 70th minute.