Top five players to score two direct free kicks in same UEFA Champions League match; Cristiano Ronaldo, Declan Rice & more

Declan Rice was the latest addition to this exclusive list

In Champions League history, only five players have scored two direct free kicks in the same Champions League match.

Scoring two free kicks in a single match is one of the best moments for a football player and his team. In the UEFA Champions League, we have barely witnessed players score two free kicks in the same match, which is why we have only a few players to do that. With this, we take a look at the top five players in history to score two direct free kicks in the same UEFA Champions League match.

5 Hakim Ziyech

Chelsea flop Hakim Ziyech who endured a turbulent time in North London, joined the Turkish side on loan before it became permanent. However, Ziyech had a decent two years at the club before leaving them for a Qatari club Al-Duhail.

But one of the most iconic moments with Galatasaray will be his two free-kick goals against Man Utd in UEFA Champions League matches. The most recent instance occurred in 2023 when Hakim Ziyech, playing for Galatasaray of Turkey, netted twice from free kicks in a group game against Manchester United.

4. Rivaldo

When Rivaldo moved to FC Barcelona in 1997, Sir Bobby Robson persuaded the squad to sign him ahead of Steve McManaman by claiming that Rivaldo would ensure the team would score a lot of goals. He was right as the Brazilian enjoyed a successful time at the club and was the second top-scorer in the league in back-to-back seasons.

He also created some records as he was the first legendary player to score two free-kicks in a single UEFA Champions League match against AC Milan in 2002.

3. Neymar

Neymar time at Paris Saint-Germain didn’t go as planned but the forward did have some memorable matches that he will remember for a lifetime. At the French club, Neymar was the main character and the preferred set-piece and spot-kick taker.

He scored plenty of free kicks during his time at the club and was one of the best free-kick takers during his prime years. Neymar also accomplished a milestone in 2018 for Paris Saint-Germain against Red Star Belgrade when he scored two direct free kicks in the same UEFA Champions League match.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has been one of the best free-kick takers in his career and during his time with Manchester United, he became their main set-piece taker and scored many stunning free-kicks. However, with his move to Real Madrid the forward further established himself as the finest set-piece taker in football. He only proved it in his debut UEFA Champions League game when they faced the Zurich team in a group-stage match.

Cristiano Ronaldo became a member of that limited group in 2009. In a 5-2 away victory during the group stage, the Portuguese attacker scored two free kicks against Zurich.

Prior to today, only Rivaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Hakim Ziyech had scored two direct free kicks in the same Champions League match.Declan Rice is the only one to do so against Real Madrid and in a knockout stage match 🤯UNREAL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BoB8o0gktj

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 8, 2025

1. Declan Rice

In the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0 thanks to two spectacular free kicks from Declan Rice.

The England midfielder dismantled Real Madrid with a spectacular set-piece double at the Emirates on Tuesday night, even though he had never scored a straight free-kick in 328 professional outings.

In minute 58, Rice scored his first goal with a powerful curled shot that soared beyond Thibaut Courtois. Twelve minutes later, he repeated the feat, sending a strong shot into the top-right corner to increase Arsenal’s lead and leave Courtois defenceless in goal once more.

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