Declan Rice Loved Micah Richards’ Reaction to His Arsenal Free-Kick vs Real Madrid
Declan Rice was left cracking up after being shown how Micah Richards reacted to the first of his two extraordinary free-kicks during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday night. The Gunners produced arguably their greatest ever Champions League performance at the Emirates Stadium, defeating the reigning European champions in emphatic fashion.
Rice broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a stunning free-kick that curled beautifully past Real Madrid’s four-man wall and beat arguably the world’s greatest goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. Full of confidence, the £100 million England international then hit another perfect free-kick into the top corner of the net just 12 minutes later.
“I don’t know whether it will ever sink in,” Player of the Match Rice told Amazon Prime after the game. “I’ve gone back to my phone then and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one… I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really. I don’t think it’s going to hit me, what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historic night.”
Rice also described it as “the best moment” of his career so far. He added: “Two free-kicks against Real Madrid. Quarter-finals at home. I can’t ask for much more.”
Mikel Merino added gloss to the scoreline with Arsenal’s third goal in the 75th minute, capping off a magnificent night for the north London outfit. The Gunners travel to the Bernabeu next week knowing they have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals, although 15-time champions Real Madrid’s unique relationship with Europe’s most prestigious competition means they won’t be taking their three-goal aggregate lead for granted.
Rice Amused by Richards’ Reaction
Pundit’s reaction was captured by CBS Sports
Micah Richards
CBS Sports managed to catch a word with Arsenal’s hero of the hour, Rice, after the match. Stood alongside Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Rice watched how boyhood Gunners fan Micah Richards reacted to his first free-kick, and the midfielder couldn’t contain his laughter. Watch the funny clip below:
“Declan, what a guy! I love you so much,” Richards told Arsenal’s No. 41. Rice responded: “I appreciate that. You manifested it, and it happened – so we can’t ask for much more!”
Rice will now be acutely aware that him and his teammates will need to remain completely focused in order to overcome Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the second leg. If the Gunners advance, they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the final four.