The first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was filled with drama and excitement, delivering a total of 14 goals. While Arsenal secured a dominant 3-0 victory against Real Madrid at home, and PSG defeated Aston Villa 3-1 in Paris, Inter Milan stood out as the only away team to win, overcoming Bayern Munich 2-1 at the Allianz Arena. Inter now aims to reach their first semifinals in 15 years in the upcoming return leg. Barcelona also impressed with a 4-0 home win against Borussia Dortmund, highlighted by a Robert Lewandowski double and goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. A common thread in all these matches? Spectacular goals. Here’s a countdown of the top five:
5. Desire Doue, PSG
The young PSG talent, Desire Doue, delivered a week-defining performance, scoring a fantastic equalizing goal against Aston Villa just minutes after Villa`s opening score at Parc des Princes. Doue, who joined PSG from Rennes in the summer of 2024, scored an impressive goal from outside the penalty area, making it even more remarkable as he was falling to his right.
Golaz-o-meter: 7/10
4. Lautaro Martinez, Inter
Lautaro Martinez, a key player in Inter`s victory against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, initiated and finished a brilliant team play to score the first goal. Starting the play, Martinez passed to Alessandro Bastoni, who then connected with Carlos Augusto, leading to a superb assist from Marcus Thuram, finding Martinez unmarked in the box. Martinez’s touch to finish was simply exquisite.
Golaz-o-meter: 7.5/10
3. Declan Rice, Arsenal
Declan Rice emerged as the hero at the Emirates as Arsenal triumphed 3-0 over Real Madrid, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, in what is considered one of the season`s most captivating Champions League matches. The English midfielder scored twice with free kicks against Real Madrid. Remarkably, these were Rice`s first direct free-kick goals in his 338 professional appearances across club and international levels.
Golaz-o-meter: 7.5/10
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, formerly of Napoli, scored a sensational goal early in the second half against Aston Villa, putting PSG in the lead. The goal came from an exceptional solo effort into the box. His accuracy and clever touch to get past Emiliano Martinez were highlights of this Champions League season.
Golaz-o-meter: 8/10
1. Declan Rice, Arsenal
Rice`s overall performance against Real Madrid was already highlighted for its crucial role in Arsenal`s 3-0 win, but his second free-kick goal stands out as truly iconic. It was an impeccably placed shot, unstoppable and perfectly executed.
Golaz-o-meter: 9/10
