Declan Rice showed wonders from the penalty spot.
Time of Fears
Despite the superior status of both teams, it was difficult to imagine in previous years that Arsenal and Real Madrid would approach a full-time meeting in the late stages of the Champions League without a clear favorite. They would likely be Madrid, who, in any form, would be the one to win. Champions League Protecting masterpieces. But this time, if not timid attempts to expose the “canonists” as favorites, then at least the discussion of uncertainty, which always adds drama and intrigue, was resonating.
It was as if the rivals themselves didn’t really understand who was who in this battle. The first half was dominated by Arsenal’s attempts to consolidate their status as favorites, the master of the situation, and a desire to gain confidence. The more cunning and sophisticated “real”, who understood that he was not in better shape, preferred not to climb for the first few minutes, taking a wait-and-see position.
But either the home side’s factors, or a generally more confident mind, allowed Arsenal to get comfortable and start smashing, promoting that drive. The Londoners seemed mentally healthier, stronger, and ready to take on the challenge. And while Madrid were overcome by doubts, Arsenal built their attacks around them. Nevertheless, the first half remained goalless. But already with a lingering feeling at the break, they will be if Tibo Courtois doesn’t maintain the courage shown at the end of the first half, when he assisted Real Madrid twice in a row. Who knows what he will have in the second half. And the first team was finished off even with embarrassing statistics: Arsenal had 55% possession of the ball, but 5:6 on shots. True, Madrid only had two accurate attempts, and the Londoners had four.
Raisdavili Real Madrid
In the second half, Real Madrid’s conversion didn’t happen. The team always played “on lowered wheels,” continuing to attack at the expense of the high class of individual performers. It wasn’t impressive in the context of a collective game, but masters remain masters. Arsenal also added excitement to their skills, mood, organization, and composure, which is very important. The Madrid players’ concentration was sometimes very lacking. Moreover, this was reflected not only in their passive attempts at combining, but also in their defensive actions. At times, Real Madrid’s attack seemed numb. And in the second half, this effect progressed. You remember the episode in the first half when they allowed themselves to beat and finish. There were more of them.
And he started the whole Declan Rice goal from the penalty area. Incidentally, it also had to be won—close enough to the goal. Without pressure and a lack of concentration and sharpness from the defenders, this cannot be achieved. It seemed that Courtois correctly put the wall in front of the standard. But he didn’t take into account Rice’s ability to twist the ball. He performed the incredible Zagolin, turning Fede Valverde (who helped a little, turning sideways at the moment of the kick) and flew under the post.
Over the last two seasons, Rice has taught us how to score regular goals—even too frequently for the supporting midfielder. And in this context, it seemed that he often took the penalty, and everyone probably remembers him having already scored. However, Opta considered it to be his first goal from a direct shot from the penalty area. The peculiar effect of “Mandela” is revealed – almost everyone “remembered” that Declan already had similar goals.
What happened next? Arsenal continued to beat Madrid, who seemed to agree at that moment at 0:1 with reliable saving grace. At one point, the “Gunners” literally fired in a row from the penalty spot with several shots from the opponent’s goal. Courtois and his guard simply fell in the way of the ball – thus – thus the defensive standards of one of the strongest clubs in the world. Once again, all the same bells and whistles speak of a lack of concentration when finishing.
Well, then—again, a dangerous penalty. And a man who hadn’t scored before the penalty shootout charged in for the second goal, even more beautiful than the first—at most nine. If Courtois had a jet or Spider-Man abilities, it was unlikely he’d have reluctantly slid that ball between the post and the crossbar. At that moment, everyone was surprised. The meme will probably be Zhorzhinho’s run, who grabbed his head and rushed as if in a slow-motion rehearsal to the neighborhood with a look like he’d noticed a comet falling onto the field, but lost his speech.
Everyone grabbed their heads. And Carlo Ancheotti, who had seen it all in his life, portrayed a startled expression on his face, apparently realizing that the game had passed into history at that moment. After all, Rice was the first to score a brace in the Champions League playoffs, and he’s the first to score twice from a penalty spot for Real Madrid since the 1950s.
While the English press was debating all these goals online, Arsenal scored their third goal. They twisted the next carousel in the penalty area, and Mikel Merino, with a clear shot, put the ball on target from his line. Here, Mikel Arthet could already be praised, who set an unmistakable pace on Havbek as a central defender. The measure is forced. But the “Gunners” are even used to such things and probably feel a little pleased. Like, for example, from a successful experiment with a transfer to Kai Haverts’ attacking center at one time. But now he’s injured, Gabriel Coemeus is being treated. Then Arthet decided to place Merino on the striker. Michel, of course, was drawn in the deep all the time. But at one important moment, he was right where he was needed.
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