Champions League scores: Declan Rice 'bangers' crush Real Madrid; Inter beat Bayern Munich late

The Champions League quarterfinals kick off on Tuesday with two marquee matchups between massive sides

Free kick magic from Declan Rice has seen Arsenal kick off the Champions League quarterfinals with a stunning 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates. Rice delivered two excellent free kicks to beat Thibaut Courtois in net before Mikel Merino capped things off with the fourth goal of his career against Real Madrid. Seeing Eduardo Camavinga sent off at the end of the match after already being set to miss the next match with yellow card accumulation, Los Blancos will now be up against it in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu with plenty of questions for Carlo Ancelotti to answer of how to get back into the tie.

LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE FOR DECLAN RICE ⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/XZHSlaCOj3

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2025

Bayern Munich suffered a late 2-1 defeat at home to Inter behind an excellent finish from substitute Davide Frattesi. Thomas Muller pulled the Germans level in the 85th minute but it would only last two minutes before Inter found their go ahead goal before a second leg at their home stadium. Now the German giants will be up against it in the second leg but this is still in the balance.

85’ Thomas Müller equalizes for Bayern 💪
88’ Frattesi restores Inter’s lead 🤯

Inter come away with the win at Allianz Arena ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/4nI0NE3R3i

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2025

Bayern's defensive struggles grow

Muller may be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season but it's clear that he still has something to offer for the Germans. Without Jamal Musiala, the attack needed a spark, which he delivered, but the defense is missing Manuel Neuer. Bayern won the expected goals battle 3.61 to 1.13, but Inter won where it mattered in the final score. Jonas Urbig only faced four shots on target and struggled, making only two saves. Replacing a legend like Neuer is never easy, but Bayern's defensive struggles were already there with him,and  they've now been highlighted on the biggest stage. With Inter only allowing three goals during this entire competition, coming back will be tough. 

Bukayo Saka's return is massive

For Arsenal, there were so many standout performances, which needs to happen to win 3-0, but Bukayo Saka being on the pitch helped everyone. He drew both fouls for Rice's free kicks and made space for everyone to operate in the match. Even with a midfielder playing as the nine, Arsenal put three goals past Real Madrid and part of the reason was because of the performance from Saka. It wasn't his most involved performance with the ball at his feet, but Arsenal didn't need that due to how Real Madrid approached the game. Nothing is done with the tie moving to the Santiago Berneabeu, but with Saka back in the lineup, Arsenal can win the Champions League.

Questions for Real Madrid

When Real Madrid go behind in a match, usually they're expected to claw back a result and they've been given the benefit of doubt to do it, but facing Arsenal, their goal never came. If not for strong saves from Courtois during the match this could've been worse. Camavinga will now be out of the second leg, and Ancelotti will need to engineer a comeback -- with noise around the open Brazil job in the background. Aurelien Tchouameni will be back from his own suspension, but in the second half Real Madrid only took two shots despite going behind by three goals.

Arsenal's defense was excellent in limiting chances, but for a team of Real Madrid's stature, they're expected to create their own chances, and that didn't happen in London on Tuesday. If this isn't fixed, changes could be on the way with Los Blancos already trailing Barcelona in La Liga. They can never be counted out of any situation, but this is one where it's feeling like Madrid could be down for the count.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:01 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Champions League scores

• Arsenal 3, Real Madrid 0 (FT)
• Bayern Munich 1, Inter 2 (FT)

[Apr 8, 2025 at 4:48 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL: Bayern Munich 1, Inter 2

Has Inter just called game? Mere minutes from Bayern finding their goal, Inter cut through Bayern on the counter and Urbig was caught out as Frattesi finished the chance with ease.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 4:44 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL: Bayern 1, Inter 1

It's a massive goal for Muller. He may be leaving the club at the end of the season but Thomas Muller still has some magic left to bring Bayern level in the 85th minute of play facing Inter.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 4:36 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL: Arsenal 3, Real Madrid 0

It's Arsenal again with Merino capping off an excellent team goal and Arsenal has made up for not taking their chances in the first half by keeping their feet on the gas in the second half of play. Real Madrid can't be counted out of anything but this is quite the hole to be in after one leg.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 4:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL: Arsenal 2, Real Madrid 0

It's another free kick goal for the Gunners and this is something else. Declan Rice is having the game of his life and Arsenal are flying. Real Madrid was prepared and Rice still made them pay.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 4:29 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Courtois is immense 

A triple save from the Belgian keeps this from turning into a 2-0 deficit for Real Madrid. Arsenal's pushing and Real Madrid need everything to keep this from growing with Bellinham and Alaba both being called into making goal line clearances. Camavinga has now picked up a yellow that will keep him out of the second leg of this tie.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 4:18 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL: Arsenal 1, Real Madrid 0

Declan Rice with an absolute stunner from a free kick and Arsenal are ahead in the match. Rice almost scored in the first half and this was quite a hit to beat the Belgian in net, putting Arsenal ahead in the 59th minute of play.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 4:15 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Bayern needs a spark

After finding their goal, it has been all Inter in the match but Thomas Muller seems to be preparing to enter the match which could change Bayern's attacking fortunes. 

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:56 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

We're at halftime in both matches

Arsenal will be disappointed to not have done more with their chances but it's still anyone's game at the Emirates with them hosting Real Madrid. Bayern Munich saw Harry Kane strike the post before going behind by one goal to a Lautaro Martinez finish and now will need to fight in the second half, facing an Inter defense that doesn't allow many goals.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:46 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Declan Rice denied

This is why Real Madrid needed Courtois back in net so badly. While hw hasn't played in a few weeks, the Belgian is as sharp as ever, keeping things level as we get closer to the half.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:40 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL: Bayern 0, Inter 1

Who else but Lautaro Martinez to break the deadlock for Inter? It's a goal that came against the run of play but with the understanding between Martinez and Thuram, that was quite a finish for the Italian side. There was a VAR check following the goal to check for offside but the goal will stand.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:32 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Big save by Raya

There's Mbappe out of nowhere just how Madrid drew it up. They'll hang around but just when you fall asleep, they can create chances with such a fast rate.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:29 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Generating chances

Slowly, Bayern Munich has worked their way into the game drawing chances via Harry Kane. The Germans have already put four shots on target in what has become quite an open game so far but they don't have anything to show for it yet. That could change soon if they continue turning chances into shots on Sommer's net.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:22 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A handball check 

There was almost worry for Raul Asencio as a shot deflected off of his arm but it wasn't deemed to be a penalty for Arsenal. The shot came from an unavoidable angle where he couldn't move his arm out of the way.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:14 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Even between Bayern and Inter

So far things haven't been too eventful in Germany with Bayern and Inter feeling each other out in the early stages of the clash. Inter will be happy with that as even a 1-0 loss won't spell doom before heading back to Italy.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:08 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost quite the own goal

Antonio Rudiger was forced to make a clearance and almost sent it into the back of his own net for quite an own goal. Hitting the ball off fo Camavinga, this is how playing this game at such a fast pace can create issues for both sides involved in the clash. Real Madrid won't want to slow the pace down but it's about picking your moments at the right time. 

[Apr 8, 2025 at 3:03 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Real Madrid starts on the front foot

Mbappe's shot didn't have the power that he'd prefer but testing David Raya in net only a minute into the clash is just the pace that Real Madrid wants this at.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 2:52 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost time to get underway

We're less than 10 minutes from kickoff in both matches as the quarter finals are set to get rolling.

[Apr 8, 2025 at 2:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction: Arsenal 1, Real Madrid 2 

Arsenal's consistency over the course of the Champions League season makes them a formidable opponent, but their injury woes with Gabriel out will leave them without a key player against Real Madrid. The visitors have been vulnerable all season, but they find a way to snatch results even after imperfect performances, so counting out the reigning champions seems unwise. -- Pardeep Cattry

[Apr 8, 2025 at 2:40 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction: Bayern Munich 0, Inter 1 

Both teams have their strengths but it is hard to bet against Inter's consistency, especially for an up-and-down Bayern side that is depleted after injuries to Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upemacano. Harry Kane will do what he can to give Bayern an edge but up against an Inter team that has conceded just two goals in 10 Champions League games, this task might be easier said than done. -- Pardeep Cattry

[Apr 8, 2025 at 2:27 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Bayern Munich vs. Inter XIs

Without Jamal Musiala and Manuel Neuer, Vincent Kompany has had to switch up his XI for this match and it could shift things in Inter's favor despite it taking place in Germany.

Bayern: Jonas Urbig, Raphael Guerreiro, Josip Stanisic, Min-Jae Kim, Eric Dier, Konrad Laimer, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Michael Olise, Leroy Sane, Harry Kane

Inter: Yann Somer, Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, Benjamin Pavard, Carlos Aguesto, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Matteo Darmian, Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram

[Apr 8, 2025 at 2:14 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Real Madrid vs. Arsenal XIs

Courtois returns to the net for Real Madrid while Bukayo Saka also starts for Arsenal. Luka Modric will also deputize in midfield for Los Blancos while Fede Valverde is again needed at right back. 

Arsenal: David Raya, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli

Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe

[Apr 8, 2025 at 2:02 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Player to watch: Leroy Sane 

At his best, as he has been of late with three goals in as many games, Sane figures to be one of the first names on Vincent Kompany's team sheet. However, that best has been too fleetingly glimpsed this season and, with his contract due to expire in the summer, there is the risk that this is his last Champions League game at the Allianz Arena. Then again, if Sane does shine, that may well not be the case. -- James Benge

[Apr 8, 2025 at 2:01 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Player to watch: Martin Odegaard  

Reunited with his former side, the Norwegian does not come into the Champions League quarterfinal at the peak of his powers. A season derailed by an ankle injury hasn't yet got back on the right path with too few goals and assists for a player whose output had been so sizeable in recent years. There would be no better night to change that. -- James Benge

[Apr 8, 2025 at 1:48 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

It's almost time for the quarterfinals to get underway. Arsenal and Real Madrid is quite a clash but all four teams in action today are among the top contenders to lift the UCL crown at the end of the campaign. How Arsenal and Real Madrid respond to their injuries will be critical to defining the tie while all eyes will be on Harry Kane and Lautaro Martinez as Bayern and Inter meet.