Rice double helps Arsenal crush Actual Madrid in first-leg rout

Arsenal took a large step towards their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years with a surprising 3-0 victory over Actual Madrid on the Emirates Stadium.

The Tuesday night time fixture had Declan Rice because the unlikely hero.

Rice, who had by no means scored a direct free-kick in over 400 skilled appearances, netted two spectacular efforts from 25 yards within the house of 12 minutes, dismantling the 15-time European champions in sensational trend.

Each targets left Thibaut Courtois, a veteran of numerous high-stakes nights rooted and helpless.

Mikel Merino added a 3rd late within the second half, capping a dominant spell during which Arsenal scored 3 times in 17 minutes, leaving the Emirates crowd in raptures and Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect shocked.

The win was all of the extra spectacular given the Gunners have been and not using a recognised centre-forward or first-choice centre-back.

But, they dictated play so high-quality, shutting down Actual’s star-studded assault led by Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham.

Rice, working much more aggressively than his typical holding position, was on the coronary heart of every little thing.

He almost accomplished a hat-trick, solely to be denied twice, as soon as by Courtois and once more by Bellingham on the objective line.

Actual Madrid, who have been shaky defensively and uninspired in assault, will now want to provide a historic comeback on the Santiago Bernabeu subsequent week.

But when this efficiency is something to go by, Arsenal look prepared to finish their lengthy exile from Europe’s prime desk.