Who else has scored two free-kicks in a UEFA Champions League game? Four stars Declan Rice stands alongside after Real Madrid brace

Arsenal's Declan Rice completed one of the UEFA Champions League's rarest feats on Tuesday night against Real Madrid - scoring two goals from direct free-kicks in a single game. The brace, which helped the Gunners to a 3-0 quarter-final first leg victory over the 15-time European champions, had us thinking about which other players had emulated the feat.

'Absolutely brilliant!' - Watch as Rice puts Arsenal ahead with 'incredible' free-kick

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Arsenal’s Declan Rice completed one of the rarest feats in UEFA Champions League football against Real Madrid ‒ two goals from direct free-kicks in one game.

Rice, who had never netted a free-kick in his previous 338 professional career games, stepped up to curl a sensational strike around the Madrid wall and beyond the gigantic reach of Thibaut Courtois.

That gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead over the reigning European champions. Just 12 minutes later, the England international did it again.

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This time, Rice bypassed the wall to audaciously whip his free-kick to the 'keeper’s side.

As the second rifled into the top corner, Rice became the first player in Champions League history to score two direct free-kick goals in a knockout stage match.

But there are four others to have netted a Champions League brace of free-kicks.

'This is Rice's night!' - Watch as Arsenal star pulls off second 'incredible' free-kick

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Rivaldo v AC Milan (2000)

In 2000, Barcelona star Rivaldo netted a hat-trick against his future employers AC Milan in a breathless 3-3 draw, with two of his goals coming from direct free-kicks.

In turn, the Brazil icon became the first player to ever score two direct free-kicks in one Champions League game.

His first was an ingenious daisy-cutter free-kick, deliberately fired under the jumping Rossoneri wall.

Rivaldo’s second was a sublime strike that flew over the wall and into the underside of the crossbar, before deflecting off goalkeeper Christian Abbiati’s back and into the goal.

Would it be given as an Abbiati own goal in this day and age? Probably… but if it’s good enough for the Opta statisticians, it’s good enough for all of us at TNT Sports towers.

Highlights: Rice magic as Arsenal stun Real Madrid on famous night

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Cristiano Ronaldo v Zurich (2009)

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has scored two free-kicks in a game on four occasions, with his trademark knuckle-ball technique having wreaked havoc on goalkeepers in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

And in 2009, Ronaldo netted a free-kick brace on his Champions League debut for Real Madrid in a 5-2 win over Swiss side FC Zurich.

Ronaldo’s first was a rasping, swirling strike from the edge of the area that looped over the goalkeeper.

His second, scored in the 89th minute, was hit with similar venom, but slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Johnny Leoni and into the net.

Neymar v Red Star Belgrade (2018)

In October 2018, Neymar scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain claimed an emphatic 6-1 win over Red Star Belgrade. Two of his goals, of course, came from free-kicks.

His first, and the game’s opener, was a delightful strike that curved over the wall, away from the 'keeper and into the bottom corner.

But Neymar’s second free-kick was even better. The Brazilian’s shot delicately curled over the wall, before dipping perfectly into the top right corner.

Visiting goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who was rooted to his spot, could only shrug his shoulders.

'It's been chaos' says Rice as he 'digests' stunning free-kick double against Real

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Hakim Ziyech v Man Utd (2023)

Hakim Ziyech was the last person to score a pair of free-kicks in a single Champions League game, doing so for Galatasaray in a 3-3 draw against Manchester United back in November 2023.

The Moroccan’s first was a relatively low strike that found its way through a split United wall and beyond the unsighted Andre Onana. It was a goal that demonstrated Ziyech's ingenuity as much as his artistry.

His second free-kick perhaps demonstrated United's defensive habits at that time.

Ziyech curled his free-kick into the danger zone with the ball somehow bypassing everyone, before hitting Onana’s leg and squirming into the net.

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Thoughts?