Declan Rice scored two fabulous free-kicks in a press release win for Arsenal towards Actual Madrid on Tuesday evening.
The England midfielder curled a stupendous effort across the wall to provide the Gunners the lead simply wanting the hour mark and blasted a second into the highest nook with 20 minutes left to arrange a tremendous 3-0 victory over the European champions on the Emirates Stadium.
It’s exhausting to recollect a participant scoring two free-kicks of that high quality in a single match – notably in such an necessary fixture.
There have been some particular free-kicks within the Champions League over time, although. Right here, a have a look at among the best possible, and the gamers who’ve hit two in a single match…
Cristiano Ronaldo (Actual Madrid vs FC Zürich, September 2009)
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a objective for Actual Madrid towards FC Zurich within the Champions League in September 2009. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Actual Madrid opened their Champions League marketing campaign with a 5-2 win away to FC Zürich in September 2009 and Cristiano Ronaldo was heading in the right direction with two free-kicks in Switzerland.
The Portuguese opened the scoring with a knuckleball effort after 27 minutes and netted Madrid’s fifth of the evening with one other fierce shot late within the sport. It was Ronaldo’s first Champions League look for Madrid. Zürich goalkeeper Johnny Leoni ought to have performed higher with each efforts and shall be notably upset with the second, which was hit straight at him.
Mario Basler (Bayern Munich vs Manchester United, Might 1999)
Bayern Munich’s Mario Basler gestures throughout the 1999 Champions League remaining towards Manchester United at Camp Nou. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Mario Basler’s low free-kick from simply exterior the realm left Peter Schmeichel flat-footed and gave Bayern Munich the lead towards Manchester United within the 1999 Champions League remaining at Camp Nou.
For a lot of the evening, it appeared just like the midfielder’s effort can be the winner, however late targets from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær noticed United seal a dramatic comeback as Alex Ferguson’s facet accomplished the treble in epic vogue.
Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray vs Manchester United, November 2023)
Hakim Ziyech salutes the Galatasaray followers after a 3-3 draw within the Champions League in November 2023, wherein he scored two free-kicks. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Galatasaray got here from 2-0 and 3-1 all the way down to earn a 3-3 draw at residence to Manchester United within the Champions League group levels in November 2023.
Hakim Ziyech, a summer season signing from Chelsea, scored two free-kicks for the Istanbul facet on the evening. The Moroccan curled his first via the wall and low into the nook, together with his second fumbled by United goalkeeper André Onana, who might solely assist the ball on its approach into the online as an alternative of creating what ought to have been a routine save.
Ronald Koeman (Barcelona vs Dynamo Kyiv, September 1993)
Ronald Koeman celebrates a objective for Barcelona towards Porto in April 1994. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Ronald Koeman scored probably the most well-known free-kick in Barcelona’s historical past as he hit the winner for the Blaugrana in a 1-0 win over Sampdoria to clinch a primary European Cup for the Catalan membership in Might 1992.
That was the final objective earlier than the competitors was rebranded because the Champions League, however the Dutch defender netted one other fabulous free-kick in a 4-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv in a 4-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv in September 1993.
Zinédine Zidane (Juventus vs Manchester United, October 1997)
Zinedine Zidane in motion for Juventus towards Ajax within the Champions League in 1997. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
A two-time Champions League finalist with Juventus and a winner at Actual Madrid, Zinédine Zidane scored some particular targets within the competitors – together with his great volley towards Bayer Leverkusen as Los Blancos claimed the trophy in 2002.
Throughout his time at Juve, Zidane curled a implausible free-kick over the wall and into the nook in a Champions League group sport towards Manchester United in October 1997. Although unable to forestall a 3-2 defeat at Outdated Trafford, it was nonetheless a particular strike.
Neymar (Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain, March 2017)
Neymar scores a free-kick for Barcelona towards Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League in March 2017. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Earlier than shifting to Paris Saint-Germain in the summertime of 2017, Neymar was the inspiration for an unbelievable comeback for Barcelona towards PSG within the Champions League in March of that yr.
The Brazilian ahead scored two late targets in a tremendous 6-1 win for the Blaugrana, curling a superb free-kick into the highest nook from exterior the realm on the left facet earlier than changing a penalty after which organising Sergi Roberto for a dramatic late winner.
Hugo Almeida (Porto vs Inter, November 2005)
Hugo Almeida (centre) celebrates with team-mates after scoring for Porto towards Inter in November 2005. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Hugo Almeida’s left-footed thunderbolt was nonetheless rising when it flew into the highest nook in a Champions League group sport away to Inter in November 2005.
Almeida’s strike gave the Portuguese facet an early lead in Milan, however a Julio Cruz double noticed the Nerazzurri come out on high in a 2-1 win. Nonetheless, it is likely one of the best free-kicks in Champions League historical past.
Roberto Carlos (Actual Madrid vs Sporting CP, September 2000)
Roberto Carlos in motion for Actual Madrid towards Bayern Munich within the Champions League in Might 2001. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Roberto Carlos’ most well-known free-kick was scored for Brazil towards France in Le Tournoi in 1997, however the former left-back hit some stunners throughout his membership profession as properly.
In whole, the Brazilian hit seven targets from free-kicks within the Champions League, together with a particular strike for Actual Madrid in a 2-2 draw towards Sporting CP in September 2000 which flew into the highest nook like an arrow and was nonetheless rising because it struck the again of the online.
Lasse Schöne (Ajax vs Actual Madrid, March 2019)
Lasse Schone scores a free-kick for Ajax towards Actual Madrid within the Champions League in March 2019. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Ajax surprised three-time defending champions Actual Madrid within the final 16 of the Champions League in March 2019 with a formidable 4-1 win on the Santiago Bernabéu.
Lasse Schöne scored the final objective for Erik ten Hag’s facet in a well-known victory as he curled a lofted free-kick over Thibaut Courtois and into the nook from a place extensive on the left. It was later voted as Ajax’s objective of the last decade and Schöne described it as the most effective of his profession.
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus vs Monaco, April 1998)
Alessandro Del Piero celebrates after scoring for Juventus towards Monaco within the Champions League semi-finals in April 1998. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Alessandro Del Piero scored seven free-kicks within the Champions League, which is greater than anyone else within the competitors apart from Cristiano Ronaldo (12).
There have been some particular strikes amongst these, however maybe the decide of all of them got here towards Monaco within the semi-finals in April 1998 as the previous Italy striker curled a magnificence over the ball and into the highest nook with Fabien Barthez overwhelmed. Del Piero went on to attain two penalties to finish a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for Juve. The Bianconeri misplaced the second leg 3-2, however would go on to succeed in the ultimate for the third season in a row.
Rivaldo (Barcelona vs AC Milan, October 2000)
Rivaldo on the ball for Barcelona towards AC Milan within the Champions League in September 2000. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Probably the greatest free-kick takers of his era, Rivaldo is one in all a handful of gamers to have scored two in a Champions League fixture.
The previous Brazil ahead netted twice from set items for Barcelona at AC Milan in October 2000, together with one low strike beneath the defensive wall, which was uncommon round that point. Rivaldo additionally scored a late header to earn a degree for Barça in an exhilarating 3-3 draw at San Siro.
David Beckham (Manchester United vs Actual Madrid, April 2003)
David Beckham scores a free-kick for Manchester United towards Actual Madrid within the Champions League in April 2003. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
David Beckham’s free-kicks have been a factor of magnificence and the previous England captain produced some particular set-piece strikes within the Champions League with each Manchester United and Actual Madrid.
Maybe the most effective one in all all got here in a tie between these two as Beckham got here off the bench to attain twice for United, together with a wonderful free-kick which went in off the bar, because the Crimson Devils gained 3-2 however misplaced 4-3 on mixture. He moved to Madrid in the summertime.
Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon vs Bayern Munich, November 2003)
Juninho Pernambucano in motion for Lyon towards Bayern Munich within the Champions League in November 2003. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
One of many best free-kick takers of all time, Juninho Pernambucano netted 44 occasions from set items throughout his time at Lyon.
And 10 of these got here within the Champions League, together with a spectacular long-range knuckleball effort towards Bayern Munich within the group levels in November 2003 which flew in off the submit with Oliver Kahn overwhelmed. Lyon gained the match 2-1 in Munich.
Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain vs Crimson Star Belgrade, October 2018)
Neymar celebrates after scoring for Paris Saint-Germain towards Crimson Star Belgrade within the Champions League in October 2018. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Neymar scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Crimson Star Belgrade 6-1 on the Parc des Princes within the Champions League group levels in October 2018.
The Brazilian ahead turned the primary participant since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 to attain two free-kicks in a Champions League fixture, giving PSG the lead with an beautiful effort which nestled low within the web from 25 yards out and curling one other into the highest nook late within the sport. Crimson Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan did not even transfer and will solely smile at being overwhelmed by one other unbelievable strike.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United vs Arsenal, Might 2009)
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Manchester United towards Arsenal within the Champions League on the Emirates Stadium in Might 2009. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Cristiano Ronaldo rifled in a thunderous free-kick to place Manchester United 2-0 up at Arsenal within the groups’ Champions League semi-final second leg in Might 2009.
Over 35 yards from objective ready over to the suitable, the Portuguese hit a dipping drive which beat Manuel Almunia at his close to submit. May the Spanish goalkeeper have performed higher? Maybe. Nevertheless it was an unbelievable strike.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona vs Liverpool, Might 2019)
Lionel Messi scores a free-kick for Barcelona towards Liverpool within the Champions League quarter-finals in Might 2019. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
It’s exhausting to think about a greater free-kick than Lionel Messi’s chic strike for Barcelona towards Liverpool within the groups’ Champions League semi-final first leg at Camp Nou in Might 2019.
The Argentine curled an unbelievable left-footed effort over the wall and into the highest nook to beat Alisson Becker from nearly 30 yards in a 3-0 win for the Blaugrana. It was his 600th objective for the Catalan membership and one of many best possible, which is saying one thing. Barça went on to lose the second leg 4-0 at Anfield, although.
Declan Rice (Arsenal vs Actual Madrid, April 2025)
Declan Rice scores his second free-kick for Arsenal towards Actual Madrid within the Champions League in April 2025. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Arsenal had not scored from a direct free-kick since 2021, however Declan Rice hit two great efforts in the identical sport. In opposition to Actual Madrid. Within the Champions League quarter-finals.
The England midfielder curled a stupendous first across the wall to place the Gunners in entrance within the first-leg match on the Emirates and took benefit of a poorly positioned defensive wall to blast a second into the highest nook 12 minutes later and set Mikel Arteta’s males on their option to a 3-0 win. Two gorgeous strikes.
