Declan Rice scored two breathtaking free-kicks as Arsenal claimed a stunning 3-0 win over Champions League holders Real Madrid in their quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
The first free-kick, when most were expecting Bukayo Saka to step up, saw Rice, who had never previously scored a direct free-kick in his career, whip a sensational effort around the wall and just inside Thibaut Courtois’ left-hand post in the 58th minute.
The goal caused delirious celebrations among the home fans and Rice produced an even better one barely 10 minutes later, this time outfoxing Courtois by going across goal from the opposite side, his brilliant strike flying into the top corner to leave Madrid stunned.
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Arsenal’s night got even better when, only five minutes later, Mikel Merino, again starting as a makeshift striker, sent a sweetly-struck first-time finish into the bottom corner from the excellent Myles Lewis-Skelly’s square pass on the edge of the box.
Real Madrid were reeling and their collapse continued into stoppage time, when midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan struck late to put themselves in a strong position to advance into the Champions League semi-finals after winning the first leg of their last-eight tie at Bayern Munich.
The German hosts dominated the opening half hour with England captain Harry Kane curling an effort against the right-hand post, but they fell behind to Inter’s first shot on target after the Serie A leaders scored a fine goal at the end of an excellent team move in the 38th minute.
Marcus Thuram showed great skill to jump and flick the ball into Lautaro Martinez’s path with the Argentine striker firing his effort with the outside of the boot into the roof of the net.
However, substitute Thomas Muller levelled in the 85th minute with a goal that looked to have saved Bayern from defeat.
The 35-year-old who announced last week he would be leaving in the summer, ending a 25-year association with the club finished from close range after Konrad Laimer’s low cross.
But there was to be another twist with just two minutes left.
Inter quickly broke up field and Carlos Augusto’s cross was converted by substitute Davide Frattesi to ensure the Italians would leave Germany with a crucial advantage.
The defeat also ended Bayern’s 22-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League, dating back to 2021.
