Arsenal fans were treated to a wonderful European night at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday as they hammered Real Madrid 3-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The Gunners were expected to be given a hard time against the team that has won the most Champions Leagues and European Cups in the history of the game.
However, Arsenal ended up making light work of Real Madrid, with Declan Rice scoring not one but two absolutely wonderful free kicks on the night.
Rice’s first free kick was expertly curled around the Real Madrid wall, while the second was a top-corner effort as accurate as it was powerful.
Plenty of fans couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Rice and two Real Madrid legends.
Arsenal star Declan Rice compared to Real Madrid legends Roberto Carlos and David Beckham
Fans were stunned by Rice’s free kicks, comparing the first one to the kind of set piece Roberto Carlos was known for back in the day.
Indeed, Carlos himself was at the Emirates Stadium for the game, the irony of which was not lost on fans.
One fan said: “Roberto Carlos scored that memorable goal and then spent the next 13 years trying to recreate it. Rice did it in 13 minutes.”
Another wrote: “The most amazing thing About Declan Rice’s First set piece was the Arsenal’s set piece coach telling him how to play it. And Roberto Carlos was in attendance.”
Another said: “Declan Rice just scored a Roberto Carlos-esque free kick – and did it right in front of the legend himself! Sensational. Levels to this game.”
As for Rice’s second goal, fans made comparisons to David Beckham, another of Real Madrid’s former Galacticos.
One fan wrote: “Against Madrid, Declan Rice put up a Roberto Carlos free kick. As if that’s not enough, he pulled a David Beckham style free kick too.”
Another said: “Declan Rice second free kick goal had all the similarities to bending it like David Beckham.”
Another said: “Wow Declan Rice!! What a freekick. Roberto Carlos and David Beckham’s type of freekicks combined, absolutely worldie.”
How Declan Rice fared aside from his free kicks
Rice’s free kicks were the cherry on top of what was a superb all-round performance.
Alan Shearer lauded Rice’s free-kicks against Real Madrid, but he also spoke highly of the England international’s display overall.
Shearer pinpointed how Rice was excellent in possession against Real and dominated the midfield battle to hand Arsenal a famous victory on Tuesday night.
| Minutes played | 80′ |
| Goals | 2 |
| Touches | 43 |
| Accurate passes | 27/30 (90%) |
| Crosses (acc.) | 2 (1) |
| Shots on target | 4 |
| Shots blocked | 1 |
| Dribble attempts (succ.) | 1 (1) |
| Ground duels (won) | 3 (1) |
| Clearances | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
“If you take away Declan Rice’s two goals his performance back to front has been so impressive,” said Shearer. “His tackling, his driving forward with the ball.”
“A night to remember, certainly for Arsenal fans and certainly for Declan Rice.”
