Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kicks as Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on 8 April 2025.
Mikel Merino added the third at Emirates Stadium, while Inter, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain also claimed first-leg victories.
Rice takes control of Arsenal’s biggest night
Rice had never scored directly from a free-kick before facing the holders. He bent his first around the wall in the 58th minute, then found the top corner with another 12 minutes later.
Merino made it 3-0 in the 75th minute, meeting Myles Lewis-Skelly’s pass with a first-time finish. Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in stoppage time and ruled out of the return leg.
Rice became the first player to score two direct free-kicks in a Champions League knockout match. Mikel Arteta praised the atmosphere and the individual quality that decided the game, but warned the tie had only reached half-time.
Ancelotti looks to another Bernabeu comeback
Carlo Ancelotti said Madrid lost their focus after Arsenal’s two set-piece goals and accepted responsibility for the defeat.
“It feels as though there’s no chance after tonight, but things always change in football,” he told Real Madrid’s official website. “It’s very tough, but stranger things have happened at the Bernabeu.&
Inter strike late as Barcelona cruise
Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi gave Inter a 2-1 win at Bayern Munich. Thomas Muller had equalised in the 85th minute, but Frattesi restored Inter’s lead three minutes later.
Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0. Raphinha opened the scoring, Robert Lewandowski struck twice against his former club and Lamine Yamal added the fourth.
PSG recover after Villa score first
Morgan Rogers put Aston Villa ahead in Paris, but Desire Doue levelled four minutes later. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored early in the second half before Nuno Mendes completed a 3-1 PSG victory in stoppage time.
Arsenal left the first round of quarter-final matches with the largest advantage, but Madrid’s history of European comebacks ensured the tie was not treated as finished.
