Arsenal produced a Champions League masterclass as they thrashed European champions Real Madrid 3-0 in their quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Declan Rice stole the show with two stunning free-kicks that left England team-mate Jude Bellingham watching on in disbelief.
The £100million midfielder curled in a beautiful opener before adding a thumping second into the top corner just 12 minutes later.
Mikel Merino added a third late on to give the Gunners a commanding advantage heading into the second leg in Madrid.
Declan Rice stole the show with an incredible Champions League performance
Reuters
The emphatic victory puts Arsenal firmly on course for a Champions League semi-final appearance.
Rice's first free-kick was described as "beautiful" as he curled the ball past Thibaut Courtois to break the deadlock.
His second effort was even more spectacular, a "thumping free-kick into the top left corner" that left the Real Madrid goalkeeper with no chance.
The Arsenal midfielder's set-piece brilliance has etched his name in Champions League history.
He became the first player ever to score two goals from direct free-kicks in a Champions League knockout stage match.
It was also Rice's first brace for Arsenal since his big-money move from West Ham in 2023.
The England international was eventually substituted with ten minutes remaining to a standing ovation.
The TV cameras repeatedly panned to Bellingham after each of Rice's spectacular goals, capturing the Real Madrid star's stunned reaction.
After Rice's first strike, Bellingham was seen looking helplessly towards manager Carlo Ancelotti on the sideline.
When the Arsenal midfielder repeated his free-kick heroics minutes later, cameras caught Bellingham shaking his head in disbelief.
Jude Bellingham looked stunned on CBS Sports cameras
CBS Sports
Fans on social media were quick to praise the TV director's work. One supporter wrote on X: "THE TV DIRECTOR IS A SICKO. THAT PAN TO BELLINGHAM WAS PEAK CINEMA."
Another added: "Bellingham's reaction says it all! You can't help but respect a beauty like that from Rice."
A third fan described it as "absolute cinema."
While Bellingham struggled to make an impact, Arsenal's defence kept Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior quiet throughout the contest.
The Gunners were at their very best despite missing Gabriel Magalhaes in defence.
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DECLAN RICE HAS DONE IT AGAIN 🤯
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Arsenal fans revelled in the dominant display, even serenading the European champions with chants of "Are you Tottenham in disguise?"
The comprehensive victory gives Mikel Arteta's men a huge advantage heading into the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid now face the daunting task of overturning a three-goal deficit if they hope to continue their Champions League defence.
For Rice, the performance further justifies his significant transfer fee and cements his status as one of England's finest midfielders.
