Set pieces were the key to the tie, and Arsenal took full advantage to leave Real Madrid on the ropes. Declan Rice, with two spectacular free-kick goals, and Mikel Merino, with a precise strike, sealed a 3-0 victory on an unforgettable night for the 'Gunners'. Mikel Arteta's team dominated the second half with intensity and determination, while the Spanish side looked lifeless and now depends on a miracle in the second leg.

Despite missing key players and lacking recent titles, Arsenal played with more hunger and determination than a complacent Real Madrid. Rice stunned everyone with his first-ever free-kick goal in over 300 matches, exploiting a poor wall setup by Thibaut Courtois, and minutes later, he struck again with an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Merino sealed the rout with a precise effort, confirming the poor form of Carlo Ancelotti's side, who were outplayed from start to finish.

Real Madrid had chances, including a one-on-one miss from Kylian Mbappé, but their lack of sharpness proved costly. The pressure from a euphoric Emirates Stadium was overwhelming, and Arteta's men delivered their best European night in years. Now, the Spanish giants cling to the Bernabéu and their history of comebacks, though this time, the miracle seems harder than ever.