![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mwanzotv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFP__20250408__39LE6EA__v1__HighRes__FblEngC1ArsenalRealMadrid-scaled.jpg\")
It was an incredible result, made all the more remarkable by the fact Rice had never scored a free-kick in his career until the first of his set-piece blasts flashed past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.<\/p>\n
“It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar,” Rice said.<\/p>\n
“Originally we were going to cross it and then I’ve just seen the wall and the goalkeeper’s position. So I thought just go for it.<\/p>\n
“The second one I had the confidence. I hit it. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon. But in a few years time this will really hit me that what I’ve done tonight was really special.”<\/p>\n
While Arsenal’s shock victory was just reward for a composed, mature display that took advantage of injury-hit Real, who were blown away by the Gunners’ intensity in the second half.<\/p>\n
But although Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, are in pole position to make the last four, Rice has no intention of underestimating the 15-time European champions.<\/p>\n
“We need to be super convinced we can come and win this game. As a group we were really convinced. We needed to score in the second half,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s not going to hit me yet because there’s another leg to go.<\/p>\n
“We need to be ready for next week. The Bernabeu, what it’s like to play there. We need to be ready.”<\/p>\n
smg\/ea<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a9 Agence France-Presse<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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