Declan Rice produced a European masterclass on Tuesday night, netting two stunning free-kicks to hand Arsenal a commanding 3-0 first-leg victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates — and it turns out teammate Bukayo Saka played a key role in unlocking the magic.
In a thrilling Champions League quarter-final showdown, the England midfielder stepped up twice to beat Thibaut Courtois from distance, sending Gunners fans into dreamland and earning himself a roaring ovation at full-time.
Speaking after the game, Rice credited Saka for encouraging him to “just feel it” before he struck his first goal:
“We were going to cross it originally, then I saw the wall and the keeper’s position and just went for it. Bukayo said to just feel the moment — and that gave me the confidence.”
It was a night of high emotion for Rice, who said the significance of his performance might not truly hit him until years from now.
“I’m over the moon. But in a few years’ time, I’ll really realise how special this night was.”
While many had counted Arsenal out against the reigning European champions, the result has blown the tie wide open. With a 3-0 cushion heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, Arsenal are dreaming big.
A win in Madrid would see them through to the semi-finals, where they’ll face either Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain. And with Rice now in red-hot form, the Gunners’ dream of a first-ever Champions League title is suddenly starting to feel very real.
