Nigeria, April 9 -- Arsenal delivered a performance for the ages on Tuesday night, defeating reigning European champions Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.

In what is being described as one of the club's greatest European nights, Declan Rice was the star of the show, scoring two stunning free-kicks within 12 minutes.

This was a remarkable feat by the English man, especially considering he had never scored from a direct free-kick in any of his previous 338 professional appearances for West Ham or Arsenal.

Rice's first goal came just before the hour mark, a powerful strike that left Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois rooted to the spot.

Moments later, he repeated t...