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Declan Rice reveals teammate inspired him to take free-kicks that stunned Real Madrid

Declan Rice of Arsenal scores his team's first goal from a free kick as Jude Bellingham, Antonio Ruediger, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde of Real Madrid jump in a defensive wall during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2025
Declan Rice of Arsenal scores his team's first goal from a free kick as Jude Bellingham, Antonio Ruediger, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde of Real Madrid jump in a defensive wall during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2025 (Getty Images)
  • Declan Rice scored two free-kicks in Arsenal's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win against Real Madrid.
  • Rice revealed Bukayo Saka encouraged him to take the free-kicks, leading to his first senior-level goals from direct free-kicks.
  • Arsenal took control of the quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium, with Rice's goals and a third from Mikel Merino.
  • Rice initially planned to cross the first free-kick but saw an opportunity to shoot after Saka's advice.
  • Despite the victory, Rice emphasised the importance of being prepared for the second leg at the Bernabeu.
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