Declan Rice made history on Tuesday night after becoming the first player to score two direct free-kicks in a Champions League knockout game.
The Arsenal midfielder scored two fantastic free-kicks as the Gunners beat Real Madrid 3-0 in their quarter-final first leg. After bending in a brilliant first, Rice stepped up to score a spectacular second that flew into the top corner. It was a wonderful goal from Rice and got us thinking about the finest free-kicks in the Champions League era.
Here are five of our favourites.
Five of the best Champions League free-kicks ever
Juninho Pernambucano vs Bayern Munich – 2003/04
Juninho Pernambucano has a strong argument as the greatest free-kick taker the game has seen. The midfield maestro made a habit of scoring spectacular set-pieces during a career that saw his best seasons spent at Lyon.
An early proponent of the ‘knuckleball’ technique, the Brazilian bamboozled Oliver Kahn during a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in 2003/04. An unsaveable effort from Juninho, who called the kick his ‘best knuckleball free-kick from a long distance’.
Who are we to argue?
⏪ Bayern vs Lyon, 2003 edition…
🇧🇷 Juninho Pernambucano 🎯⚽️@OL | #UCL pic.twitter.com/xzbLqHGDEo
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 19, 2020
Midfield Magicians: Juninho Pernambucano, free-kick master
Hugo Almeida vs Inter Milan, 2005/06
Frankly, we’re surprised the San Siro netting was strong enough to stop this.
Things didn’t quite click for Hugo Almeida at FC Porto, but this thunderbastard lives long in the memory. The burly forward let fly with a howitzer that was still rising as it crashed in off the woodwork.
Some hit, this.
Hugo Almeida madness #OTD in 2005! 🎯@FCPorto | #UCL pic.twitter.com/gsS31p5Ifh
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 1, 2021
Juninho Pernanbucano vs Barcelona – 2008/09
That man, again.
Angles mattered little to Juninho Pernanbucano, who had no reservations about taking aim from near the touchline against eventual Champions League winners Barcelona in 2008/09.
Seven minutes into Lyon’s last-16 tie with the Spaniards, the midfielder hit a free-kick that rose and dipped deceivingly to leave Victor Valdes stunned.
🗓️ #OTD in 2009, Juninho Pernambucano scored THIS against Barcelona 👏
🎯 Greatest free-kick taker? 🤔#UCL | @Juninhope08 | @OL pic.twitter.com/2epIWjcU49
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 25, 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Arsenal, 2008/09
Now it doesn’t matter how much we watch this free-kick, we’re still shocked at the pure audacity to shoot from there.
Cristiano Ronaldo ignored the chance to cross to try his luck from range against Arsenal, as Manchester United took control of their all-Premier League semi-final. An absolute rocket from CR7, that flashed past Manuel Almunia at his near post.
“He scored the free-kick from somewhere near my hometown,” Spanish-born Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas begrudgingly admitted at full-time.
🔴 Cristiano Ronaldo starred in a ruthless @ManUtd victory at Arsenal #OTD in 2009 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/XLgqALEpZq
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 5, 2021
Lionel Messi vs Liverpool, 2018/19
Liverpool were on the wrong side of a genius at work during the first leg of their semi-final showdown with Barcelona in 2018/19.
A Lionel Messi masterclass did the damage in a 3-0 win for the home side, with the Argentine scoring his 600th goal for Barcelona with an unstoppable free-kick.
Around the wall and into Alisson Becker’s top corner from distance, this was the sort of free-kick that should be studied by those aiming to master the art.
😱😱😱 What. A. Goal!
😍😍😍 THAT Messi free-kick again & again…#UCL | @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/qW3DUVGuTJ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 7, 2019
Read – Ranked! Arsenal’s five best Champions League wins
See more – Like London buses! Incredible Declan Rice stat after free-kick double
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