On Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium, in the first leg of the Champions League quarter - final, Declan Rice's two outstanding free kicks and Mikel Merino's striker - like finish propelled Arsenal to a resounding 3 - 0 win over Real Madrid.

The home side dominated the first half as Real Madrid got off to a sluggish start. Eduardo Camavinga nearly committed a disastrous own - goal when he blocked Antonio Rudiger's clearance, and then Thomas Partey's shot was directed straight at Thibault Courtois.

Real Madrid gradually found their rhythm in the game and posed a threat on the counter - attack. However, Courtois was, without a doubt, the more active goalkeeper and made an astonishing double save right before halftime to maintain the parity of the game.

There was no stopping Rice's opener, though, a fierce shot around the wall and beyond Courtois in the 58th minute for the midfielder's first senior goal from a direct free kick.

Arsenal could have been two-up shortly after, but Courtois produced a diving stop from Gabriel Martinelli followed by another from Merino in between David Alaba's goal-line block.

Rice's second free kick was even better than the first, curled straight into the top corner in the 70th minute, to leave the 15-time European champions looking stunned and the England midfielder as the first player to score multiple goals from direct free kicks in a Champions League knockout game.

Merino then coolly fired substitute Leandro Trossard's pullback into the bottom corner 15 minutes from time to give Arsenal a sizeable lead to take to Madrid next week.

Real will have to try to overhaul that lead without Camavinga, who was shown a second yellow card in the closing seconds for kicking the ball away.

The winner of the tie will face either Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.