In the game to remember, we have seen a three beautiful goals from Arsenal, but from Real Madrid… absolutely nothing! 3-0 in the first match for Gunners!The derby of the entire Champions League round had barely started when it came alive. Just half a minute into the match, Kylian Mbappe fired a shot from distance, but it was an easy catch for Raya. Arsenal pressed hard from the very beginning, putting Real Madrid in a rare submissive position — something we’re not quite used to seeing.In the 6th minute, there was another big moment in front of Courtois’ goal. After a cross from the hosts, Rudiger cleared the ball, but it deflected off Camavinga and nearly beat the Belgian keeper. That didn’t stop the London club, as just seconds later we saw a corner from which Saka went for goal directly, but Courtois was alert and managed to save it.No player had more tackles in the first half than Eduardo Camavinga. He also had a 94% passing accuracy. pic.twitter.com/7wEVxGYv9B— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) April 8, 2025 Thomas Partey also had a chance to beat Real Madrid’s goalkeeper after a good move and a cutback pass, but his weak shot was easy work for a goalkeeper of Courtois’ caliber. As for the Madrid side, we didn’t see a real chance from them until the 20th minute, when Vinicius took a shot from the left flank, but it went wide.Real Madrid’s best chance of the half came during a brilliant counterattack involving Mbappe, who found himself one-on-one with Raya — but hit the ball straight at the Spanish goalkeeper.📸 – WHAT A CHANCE THIS WAS FOR MBAPPÉ! pic.twitter.com/MVcD2uVq2V— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) April 8, 2025 Right before halftime came Arsenal’s best chance, and arguably the best opportunity of the entire first half. After a cross into the box, Declan Rice fired a shot at goal, and Thibaut Courtois showed incredible reflexes to keep it out. The action didn’t end there — the rebound fell to Martinelli, who also tried his luck, but the world-class keeper was in the right place once again.COURTOUS WITH A DOUBLE SAVE!What a performance he’s having vs. Arsenal in his first game back from injury 👏 pic.twitter.com/m72tzuQIVN— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 8, 2025 What a second half we witnessed — absolutely incredible!The first chance for Real came through Mbappe, who, after a great move and a pass from Bellingham, found himself on the left side but hit the side netting. Seven minutes later, we saw a masterpiece of a free-kick from Declan Rice — he struck it from about 25 meters out, and in true Roberto Carlos style, the ball curled around the wall and beat the visiting goalkeeper. Also, you can see the goal HERE!This Angle of Declan Rice goal hits hard, He’s been Watching Bruno Fernandes highlights fairs👏What a goal that was. #ARSRMDpic.twitter.com/KZTzzRigQT— Utdbloke (@UtdBloke__) April 8, 2025 Arsenal kept firing from every position, and within two minutes, they created a flurry of chances. First, Martinelli took a brilliant shot, which Courtois saved, and then Merino had two attempts — the first was cleared off the goal line by Alaba, and the second was saved again by Courtois. But it didn’t end there! Just seconds later, the ball was cleared off the line once more, this time by Bellingham.🚨🇪🇺 GOAL | Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid | Declan RiceDECLAN RICE SCORES ANOTHER INSANE FREE KICK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/83aoV4EcUr— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) April 8, 2025 2 – Declan Rice is the first player to score two direct free kick goals in a knockout stage match in the UEFA Champions League. Precision. pic.twitter.com/loLhfmZ7sX— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2025 Real had used up all their luck, and in the 70th minute, we witnessed more magic from Declan Rice. From a similar distance as the first goal, he struck another phenomenal shot and scored again to double Arsenal’s lead. Look at this BEAUTY!We all laughed at Merino at striker and now he’s left the pitch with more goals than Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo combined… pic.twitter.com/Lqog9W1koH— Janty (@CFC_Janty) April 8, 2025 The magical night continued for Arsenal, and after a beautiful team move, Merino scored again to make it another goal for the Gunners. This is Merino’s GOAL!For the full nightmare, Camavinga got a second yellow in the final seconds of the match!A Gunners’ rapsody at the Etihad!UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – QUARTER-FINALSFirst legTuesdayArsenal – Real Madrid 3-0 (0-0)/Rice 58, 70, Merino 75/Bayern – Inter 1-2 (0-1)/Muller 85 – Martinez 38, Frattesi 88/Wednesday 22.00: (1.37) Barcelona (5.10) Dortmund (7.75)22.00: (1.42) PSG (5.00) Aston Villa (7.00)***odds are subject to change***
