With Rice and Merino scoring, Arsenal beat La Liga giants Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Arsenal midfielder Rice said he never thought he could score two free kicks in the same game, and he would never forget such a dream moment.

In the 58th minute of the second half, Rice took a free kick and shot directly, and the ball flew around the wall and into the net, helping Arsenal take the lead 1-0. In the 70th minute, Arsenal got another free kick opportunity, and Rice scored with a curved shot, extending Arsenal's lead to 2-0.

With Lewis Skelly assisting Merino to score in the 75th minute, Arsenal finally defeated Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium, laying the foundation for advancing to the Champions League semi-finals.

Talking about the Arsenal midfielder Rice who scored twice with free kicks, he shared, "I was really surprised. This has never happened to me. This is the quarter-finals of the Champions League and we all know what this game means. This is a historic moment for the club and I am so happy."

"Those two free kicks were really good. To be honest, I'm not used to all the praise and media attention, people talking about how great those free kicks were. I've watched them a few times and I think I'll probably keep watching them over and over again. It's incredible, I can't believe it."

Rice, who was named the best player of the game, continued, "When I scored the first penalty, I thought it was my first free kick goal in my career, and then I was confident about the second one. I was thinking, why not do it again? I had nothing to lose. I wanted to go over the wall, but in the end I thought there was a chance on the other side of the opponent's goalkeeper, and I had practiced that angle for a long time. In the end, both went in. These are really dream moments, and I will remember these moments forever."

In addition, Arsenal will host Brentford at home in the next round of the Premier League, and then will travel to challenge Real Madrid again in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Rice also said, "From the moment we entered the stadium to the kick-off and then to the full 90 minutes, the fans have been fully supporting us. We will go to the Bernabeu Stadium next week and we will also need their support."

“That free kick was probably the most beautiful goal I’ve ever scored and it could be even more memorable if we can win next week and get to the semi-final and create an even more special moment for this club.”