Declan Rice and the best 9 free kicks in Champions League history

From bending shots around the wall to thunderous strikes into the top corner, these set-pieces have produced unforgettable memories. 

Rice became the first player in history to score two direct free-kick goals in a knockout stage match. His two beautiful curlers in Arsenal’s 3-0 quarter-final first leg win against Real Madrid were one for the archives.

The first one was bent around the wall from the right, leaving Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stunned.

If the first one was good, the second one was even better. Rice stood over the freekick, this time on the left, and he went for the top right corner, sending the Emirates into a frenzy.

Messi scored one of the best free-kicks in Champions League history against Liverpool in 2019. It was the semi-final, and Barcelona were already 2-0 up. Then Messi stepped up from about 30 yards out and hit a perfect shot. The ball flew over the wall and into the top corner, with goalkeeper Alisson unable to stop it. 

The crowd at Camp Nou went wild in what was Messi’s 600th goal for Barcelona.

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Ronaldo scored a brilliant free-kick against Arsenal in the 2009 Champions League semi-final. Playing for Manchester United, he hit the ball from nearly 40 yards out. It was powerful and fast, leaving Arsenal’s goalkeeper Manuel Almunia with no chance to stop it. The goal shocked the crowd at the Emirates Stadium. 

Ronaldo’s strike helped United win the match 3-1 and reach the final. Many fans still remember this free kick as one of his best goals in Europe, and it was a big moment in his United career.

In the same year and from the same range, Ronaldo scored an amazing goal against Porto in the previous round. That time, he smashed the ball into the top corner, and the goalkeeper could not do anything. 

This goal helped Manchester United win 1-0 and reach the semi-finals. After the match, Ronaldo said it was the best goal he had ever scored. That goal is still one of the most famous in Champions League history.

Pernambucano is arguably the best free-kick taker of all time, and he showed this a lot during his playing career. 

In 2003, he scored a fantastic free kick against Bayern Munich in the Champions League playing for Lyon. He hit the ball from far outside the box in his usual knuckleball shot, meaning it moved in the air and confused the goalkeeper. 

The ball flew into the net with speed and no spin, and Oliver Kahn could only watch. This goal was one of Juninho’s best. 

Carlos hit some stunning freekicks during his playing career, and one of such was against Sporting Lisbon in the 2000 Champions League. 

Playing for Real Madrid, he hit the ball from a very tight angle on the left side. Most players would cross, but Carlos went for goal. He used his powerful left foot to blast the ball into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper surprised and unable to react in time. 

Ajax’s Schone scored a beautiful free kick against Real Madrid in the 2019 Champions League. He took the shot from a wide angle on the left side. Everyone expected a cross, but Schone went for goal.

The ball flew over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and went straight into the top corner. It was a surprise goal and one of the best of the season. This goal helped Ajax win 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu and knock out the defending champions.

Beckham was known as one of the best free-kick takers in football history, and this one against Real Madrid showed why. At the time it was almost certain that Beckham would join Real Madrid, and this was his last match against them as a Manchester United player. 

This classic free-kick against Real Madrid in the 2003 Champions League was a stunner. He took the shot just outside the box. Beckham curled the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net, using a perfect mix of accuracy and technique. 

Even though United did not win the tie, Beckham’s goal was one of the highlights. 

Pirlo scored a brilliant free-kick against Real Madrid in the 2009 Champions League. The AC Milan midfielder curled the ball beautifully from 30 yards over the wall and into the corner of the net against Real Madrid. Pirlo made it look easy, but it was a world-class strike. This goal helped Milan win the match 3-2 and showed why Pirlo was a true midfield and set-piece master.

In the 1998-99 Champions League match, Beckham scored a spectacular free kick  in Manchester United’s 3-3 draw against Barcelona. Beckham stepped up from outside the box and curled the ball over the wall into the top corner.