'Unnecessary' - Thibaut Courtois points the finger at Jude Bellingham after Declan Rice's free-kick double helps Arsenal stun Real Madrid as goalkeeper makes wall admission

Rice's stunning set-pieces and a strike from Mikel Merino helped Arsenal pick up a stunning 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final fixture at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. While Rice's free-kicks were truly extraordinary, Los Blancos custodian Courtois felt that the fouls that led to the strikes could have been avoided. While Bukayo Saka was brought down by Alaba before the first effort, the second one was a result of Bellingham's challenge on Thomas Partey just outside the penalty box.

Speaking to Movistar+ after the match, Courtois said: "Declan Rice scored two great goals. They're two unnecessary fouls. Maybe they shouldn't be committed. They press well. They play between the lines. In the first half, we knew how to counter-attack. We lost control. There was no calm with the ball. I wouldn't say it was panic, but it was nervousness."

The Belgian also admitted to arranging his wall poorly as he added: "I thought I had set up the wall well. I even added one more man. Maybe I could have added another. But I didn't expect so much curve. If we score two quick goals at the Bernabeu, the third can come by itself. We have to learn. We can't allow more mistakes. Every detail counts."

Carlo Ancelotti's side will next face Alaves in La Liga on Sunday before hosting the Gunners for the second leg of the tie at Santiago Bernabeu on April 16.