Declan Rice’s amazing free-kick double helped Arsenal to a stunning 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash ahead of next week’s return match at the Bernabeu.
The Gunners dominated proceedings and outclassed an unusually poor Real Madrid team who have much work to do if they’re to have any chance of staging an almighty comeback.
Rice, who had never even scored a free-kick in his career, beat Thibaut Courtois twice through stunning curling attempts, catching the Belgian off guard and helping his side put one foot in the semi-finals in the process.
Mikel Merino tucked home Arsenal’s third to ice the cake, put a cherry on top, and give Jude Bellingham and Los Blancos an uphill battle in the extreme in the reverse fixture.
Free-kicks are arguably one of the most technically difficult components of football, proving a tricky skill to master, but the pay off in both aesthetics and acclaim are nearly unrivaled.
Here, in the wake of Rice’s stunning heroics, Mail Sport takes you through 10 of the most spectacular free-kicks in the history of the game, from David Beckham to Roberto Carlos to Lionel Messi and beyond.
Declan Rice’s two free-kicks helped cannon Arsenal into a 3-0 goal against Real Madrid
Rice’s efforts were both curled masterfully beyond Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid now have it all to do if they are to turn things around in the second leg next week
Lionel Messi, Barcelona vs Liverpool 2019
In the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, Barcelona dominated proceedings as they won 3-0.
Despite Barcelona eventually losing as Liverpool overturned the 3-0 deficit in the reverse fixture, Lionel Messi delivered a stunning free-kick that reminded the world why he is arguably the best player of all time.
Centre of the goal, around 30 yards from goal, the Argentinian wrapped his foot around the ball and placed it straight into the top corner.
There have been debates over whether the ball deflected off Joe Gomez in the wall, but no one can deny the sheer quality of the strike.
Lionel Messi’s inch-perfect free-kick looked to have helped Barcelona into the Champions League final
Paul Gascoigne, Tottenham vs Arsenal 1991
Free-kick goals are rarely the plane for mere mortals, often drawing on supreme skill and confidence, and in footballing terms there aren’t many who had more of either than England icon Paul Gascoigne.
Gascoigne opened the scoring for Tottenham in the 1991 north London derby in the first ever FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
The Englishman rifled the ball into the top corner, setting the precedent for Spurs, who would go on to win 3-1 and become eventual winners in the final against Nottingham Forest.
Paul Gascoigne scored one of the all-time great FA Cup goals in the semi-final against Arsenal
Cristiano Ronaldo, Man United vs Portsmouth 2008
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his iconic composed preparation when taking free-kicks.
Meticulously taking four long steps back, Ronaldo can strike the ball with ridiculous top spin and power.
This was the case when the Portuguese smashed the ball from range, bamboozling David James and rocketing straight into the top corner like an arrow.
Cristiano Ronaldo unleashed one of the most venomous strikes ever seen back in 2008
Roberto Carlos, Brazil vs France 1997
One player who defied the laws of physics when it came to free-kicks was Brazilian left back Roberto Carlos.
In the 1997 Tournoi against France, the full back stepped up to shoot from far out in a seemingly bizarre choice by the Brazilian. Yet, Carlos’ long run-up connected with the ball, his initial shot looking like it would go well past the post.
His left footed shot across the ball caused the ball to curl in at the last moment, hitting the post and going in, leaving French keeper Fabien Barthez – and the rest of the world – astounded.
Roberto Carlos’ ‘banana kick’ looked to defy the laws of physics for Brazil against France
David Beckham, England vs Greece 2001
David Beckham’s iconic free-kick technique and acumen has placed him as one of the greatest free-kick takers of all time.
His ability was needed during England’s World Cup qualifier against Greece, as the Three Lions were minutes from not qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
Beckham lifted his left arm and curled in a beauty to beat the keeper, sending England into the World Cup.
Three years earlier, Beckham had been the villain when he was sent off against Argentina during the 1998 World Cup last 16, this free-kick redeeming him once and for all in front of England fans.
David Beckham sent England to the 2002 World Cup with a spectacular effort against Greece
Dimitri Payet, West Ham vs Crystal Palace 2016
Despite only playing two seasons for West Ham, Dimitri Payet tore up the league with his trickery and creativity.
One weapon in his arsenal was his miraculous free-kick ability, with the set-piece against Crystal Palace the pick of the bunch.
Payet managed to get the ball to dip at the last moment, clipping the cross bar from around 20 yards out. His strike was technically marvellous and left Eagles keeper Wayne Hennessey rooted to the spot.
Dimitri Payet’s masterpiece for West Ham is regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest
Mikael Nilsson, IFK Goteborg vs PSV 1993
Swedish footballer Mikael Nilsson’s long-range effort sent physicians crazy as his curler defied our very understanding of how to kick a football.
Nilsson produced a ridiculous curling effort which bent from right to left, perplexing the PSV keeper during a Champions League match.
The distance and the curl set this goal apart from others with the outrageous technique a nightmare for keepers.
Hakan Calhanoglu, Hamburg vs Borussia Dortmund 2014
A young Hakan Calhanoglu produced a sterling effort from near his halfway line to leave Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund flabbergasted.
Being 2-0 up in stoppage time, Hamburg’s Turkish star opted to strike the ball from afar with low probabilities of the ball going into the back of the net.
However, his knuckleball free-kick wobbled centrally before swiftly diverting left, leaving Romain Weidenfeller with no chance.
Juninho, Lyon vs Barcelona 2009
Arguably one of the best free-kick street ballers, Juninho earned a reputation for his repertoire of set-piece goals.
The Brazilian’s goals include his dipping angled free-kick against Barcelona in the Champions League for Olympique Lyon.
His shot surprised the Barcelona team, leaving the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi stunned.
Juninho was regarded as one of the great dead-ball specialists and his effort in 2009 showed exactly why
Mohd Faiz Subri, Penang FA vs Pahang State 2016
Many wouldn’t believe that the FIFA Puskas Award 2016 winner came from the Malaysian Super League.
Faiz Subri hit an absolute screamer, creating a swerve which bent from left to right, finishing in the side netting.
The goal was a deserved winner of the 2016 Puskas Award as one YouTube commenter wrote: ‘Mohd Faiz Subri’s goal beats my imagination.’