Ghana international Thomas Partey delivered a masterclass performance as Arsenal flogged defending champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals clash at Emirates Stadium.
Premier League giants Arsenal took a commanding 3-0 first leg advantage over Real Madrid in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League quarter-final phase.
Mikel Arteta had asked the Arsenal fans to arrive early to create an impressive atmosphere inside the stadium, and the team responded by starting the game quickly with a number of dangerous crosses into the Madrid penalty area.
It took until the 20th minute for Madrid to have their first real chance, when Vinicius Jr curled an effort wide.
But Rice took control of the tie for Arsenal in the second half.
The Gunners were the better side all evening and took the lead in the 58th minute, when Rice curled the first of two excellent free-kicks round the Real Madrid wall into the corner of the net past Thibaut Courtois.
Rice scored his second of the night with a free-kick of equal quality 12 minutes later, bending another long-range effort into the top right-hand corner to leave Madrid stunned.
Mikel Merino then made sure it was a memorable night for Arsenal when he curled a shot into the bottom corner from inside the area just five minutes later.
Things only got worse for Madrid when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in stoppage time for picking up a second yellow card.
Arsenal have not reached the semi-finals stage of the Champions League since the 2008-09 season, but they have given themselves a huge chance of progressing to the last four with this result.
Partey, who enjoyed the entire duration of the game, was at his usual best in the midfield of the Gunners, ensuring Madrid not to cause any havoc in the first leg tie.
Arsenal will travel to Spain's capital on Wednesday, April, 16, 2025 for the reverse leg fixture against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
