Bend it like Beckham? More like bending like declan …
It was a set piece of the Arsenal midfielder clinic when he scored the first free kicks of his career against Real Madrid and the first player in the history of Champions League was that several direct free kicks scored in the same knockout actor.
Thibaut Courtois was present to save Real Madrid in a fast first half while he pulled a fine double save to deny a rice head and a follow -up effort by Gabriel Martinelli.
The impasse was finally broken in the 58th minute when English star rice hit a sensational free kick.
Rice then sent the Emirates in the stratosphere when he added a second with an even better free kick from the left side of the goal he shot in the upper right corner.
Mikel Merino then wiped a devastating third in the lower corner of a layer of cross to place the icing on a remarkable night. Here is how Sunssport's Jordan Davies De Gunners rated.
David Raya – 7
Was lucky that Kylian Mbappe did not have his shooting boots in the first half, but still had to be high and had to make it as heavy as possible to find a corner, so that a diving stop produced just after the 30 -minute marking.
It is remarkable that hardly tested. One of his quieter evenings against the ruling European champions with one of the best attacks in the game.
Jurrien Timber – 7
A real mixed bag in the opening 45 minutes, not helped by a nasty late challenge of Mbappe on his left only that took him for a while to shake off.
Some brilliant activities that combine the right one with Saka, but was expropriated by Bellingham that Mbappe pursued that could have cost them.
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William Saliba – 9
Had the not enviable task to keep his countryman Mbappe still without his defending partner Gabriel, and sometimes to do that wonderfully.
The Frenchman is slowly developing into one of the world's very best defenders and proves it against the team that wants to pick him from North Londs this summer.
Jakub Kiwior – 7
A big night before the post and his first touch did not fill fans with confidence, let a complicated in his foot and allowed Mbappe an early shot on goal.
Another IFFY pass brought William Saliba to all sorts of difficulty and Mbappe stepped in before the offside flag rose.
Fortunately not to be booked for a late wipe at Luka Modric just before the break, but fought through his way.
Myles Lewis -Skelly – 9
Is this boy really only 18? Check his passport, someone? On such a great occasion he was inexplicable, drove to midfield, found space and easily lost his markings on the ball.
One or two scary moments in the beginning, but that is the package with Lewis-Skelly at the moment, and are also very nice to look at.
Thomas Partey – 8
A real calming influence in the first half with a few neat turns and beautiful wears, as well as a few crucial interceptions to make all the counters in Madrid harmless.
Moreover, he forced Courtois in a considerable stop with a low row of effort.
Declan Rice – 11
Roberto Carlos eats your heart. That's how you score a free kick. I have never heard a sound in this stadium and it was completely deserved. Epic was to do it once. Twice it was just outrageous.
Rice must have been frustrated not to have scored in the first half, just to score one of the best goals of his career in the second half.
With his galloping looting the best on and next to the ball, coming forward as often and as quickly as possible with Thomas Partey that raises things up. This is the rice that we like to see and should have come to the score sheet.
Came near a first half of close-range film that was well blocked. His brilliant header was then sent away by Courtois.
Martin Odegaard – 8
An urgent machine. The Duracell Bunny has nothing on this man.
The constant heartbeat of the shape and structure of Arsenal, while he presents some neat pieces of magic on the ball in Madrid Territory.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Had his heart in his mouth when his lower back card of five minutes of Vinicius JR Race clearly saw, luckily IPPPLED.
However, with attack it did not take him long to shake off the rust of his three -month resignation.
On the left Jude Bellingham in front of the right side of the right side and his ball should have been tapped over, and almost the same against David Alaba.
A lot was kicked, so no surprise that he was taken away with the game and dusted.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Largely quiet and struggled to get better from Federico Valverde, apart from the strange rising drive. His only real chance he came to life was a rebound from a tight perspective that was directly to Courtois.
Yet he played his role, walked his socks away and even switched to the right wing when Saka was immersed.
Mikel Merino – 9
Worked hard off the ball, fell deeply to offer his teammates room to run behind and the line led well, albeit without any real chance to make Courtois serious in the first half.
The buoys were finished later. Just had to find it twice in the room of two seconds of six meters, but it made good with a first curl that turned it into a job.
Subs
Trossard (for Saka, 74 minutes) – 6
Went in the front and gave Arsenal some energy when tired legs came in.
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