Arsenal stunned Europe by overcoming Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
The first leg was decisive to the tie, as Arsenal beat Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates to take a healthy lead into the final 90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu.
History was on Arsenal’s side at the Bernabeu, but Mikel Arteta’s squad ensured they wrote their own script, winning 2-1 on the night to send the holders out of the Champions League.
For all of the star talent in Real Madrid’s squad, it was the Gunners who prevailed from the quarter-final clash, with one player dominating the headlines.
Rio Ferdinand had no doubts about Declan Rice vs Real Madrid
Five goals were scored in the tie by Arsenal, with four different scorers on the board.
Mikel Merino, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli earned high praise for their goals, but it was Declan Rice who truly dominated Real Madrid.
In the first leg, Rice scored two remarkable free-kicks, and in the second, the Englishman collected his second man of the match award of the tie.
Speaking during TNT Sports’ coverage of the showdown at the Bernabeu was Rio Ferdinand, who had no doubts over Rice’s influence on the outcome of the quarter-final.
“Declan Rice has been the best midfielder over the two games. By a bit of a way. He looks so accomplished,” the Manchester United legend said.
What made Rice’s performances so impressive was that over 180 minutes of action, Ferdinand was right, there was no better performer than the England international.
The 2023 signing ensured that he somehow built on his first-leg heroics, putting in a remarkable shift at the Bernabeu to help Arsenal win the tie.
Rice showed Jude Bellingham up in the Champions League quarter-final
If there’s one player who could be rueing Rice’s performances, it’s Jude Bellingham.
The Arsenal midfielder’s international teammate has been a frequent maker of the headlines since signing for Real Madrid, but this time, it was his compatriot who stole the show.
| Statistic | Jude Bellingham | Declan Rice |
| Touches | 44 | 49 |
| Pass success % | 79% | 96% |
| Key passes | 1 | 2 |
| Duel wins | 8 | 4 |
| Fouls | 2 | 2 |
| Shots | 0 | 1 |
| Possession lost | 12 | 6 |
Bellingham was unable to compete with Rice in the roaming number eight role over two legs, failing to get anywhere close to the former West Ham captain.
The 21-year-old’s frustrations were evident throughout the contest, as he and Rice clashed multiple times, but fortunately, they hugged it out at the end of the game.
Ferdinand lauded Rice for being the best performer of the tie, setting the bar high for Bellingham to work towards.
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