Eagle-eyed fans spot Kylian Mbappe’s ‘nice’ reaction to Declan Rice’s goal in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid
EAGLE-EYED fans spotted Kylian Mbappe’s “nice” reaction to one of Declan Rice’s free-kick goals last night.
The Arsenal star struck from two set-pieces as his side beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
Mikel Merino went and added a third to make sure the Gunners put one foot in the semis against either Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain.
And current Champions League holders Real, who have won the competition a record 15 times, were left shellshocked ahead of next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu.
Superstars like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr were unable to get a grasp on the game.
While boss Carlo Ancelotti cut a frustrated figure as he watched counterpart Mikel Arteta dominate the touchline.
But Real ace Mbappe caught fans off-guard as he reacted to the second of Rice’s free-kick goals.
The £105million midfielder curled a beauty round the Real wall, with the shot then finding its way into the far-top corner.
It sparked wild celebrations among Arsenal players and supporters.
While Los Blancos players appeared to become even more desolate at the prospect of a European exit.
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However, Mbappe seemed to show his appreciation for Rice’s strike as he made his way back to the halfway line.
The striker, who joined Real on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, watched Rice’s free-kick sail past Thibaut Courtois.
Mbappe then turned on his heels before retreating down the pitch.
And as he did so, the French World Cup winner was seen raising his eyebrows and flicking his head in acknowledgement of the hit.
Fans were quick to clock it, with one saying: “It’s a nice reaction, just utterly stunned and in awe.”
Another declared: “Bro was taking notes in his mind.”
One noted: “He noticed it was a sweet free-kick.”
Another added: “He knew it was well hit.”
Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice's free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10
BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…
It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.
Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.
Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.
Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.
Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners…