Champions League Quarterfinals: Ranking the Top Five Goals

The first week of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals delivered an action-packed spectacle with a total of 14 goals scored across the first leg matches. While Arsenal secured a dominant 3-0 victory at home against Real Madrid, and PSG triumphed 3-1 over Aston Villa in Paris, Inter stood out as the only away team to win their first leg, defeating Bayern Munich 2-1 at the Allianz Arena. Inter now looks forward to potentially reaching their first Champions League semifinal in 15 years in the return leg. Barcelona also impressed with a 4-0 home win against Borussia Dortmund, highlighted by a Robert Lewandowski brace and goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. One common thread throughout these thrilling encounters? Absolutely stunning goals. Here’s a countdown of the top five goals:

The 19-year-old Desire Doue delivered a standout performance this week, making an immediate impact by scoring a breathtaking equalizer for PSG against Aston Villa. Just moments after Aston Villa`s opening goal at Parc des Princes, Doue, a summer 2024 acquisition from Rennes, unleashed an incredible strike from outside the penalty area, falling to his right as he shot, which only amplified the goal`s brilliance.

Golaz-o-meter: 7/10

Lautaro Martinez, a key figure in Inter`s victory against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, initiated the scoring with a goal that capped off a remarkable team play. Starting the play himself, Martinez passed to Alessandro Bastoni, who then moved it to Carlos Augusto, culminating in a masterful assist from French striker Marcus Thuram. Thuram`s pass perfectly found Martinez in the box, where the Argentinian striker displayed exquisite touch to finish.

Golaz-o-meter: 7.5/10

Declan Rice emerged as the hero at the Emirates Stadium, leading Arsenal to a decisive 3-0 victory over Carlo Ancelotti`s Real Madrid. This match is already being hailed as one of the Champions League season`s best. The English midfielder scored twice against Los Blancos with free kicks. Remarkably, these were Rice`s first direct free-kick goals in his 338th professional appearance across club and international competitions.

Golaz-o-meter: 7.5/10

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, formerly of Napoli, scored a sensational goal for PSG early in the second half against Aston Villa, putting his team in the lead. The goal was the result of an exceptional solo run into the box. Kvaratskhelia`s precision and deft touch to get past Emiliano Martinez were truly among the highlights of this Champions League season.

Golaz-o-meter: 8/10

Rice`s overall performance against Real Madrid was already highlighted as crucial to Arsenal`s 3-0 win, but his second free-kick goal was simply unforgettable. It`s hard to find words adequate to describe it – the ball placement was absolutely perfect, unstoppable and beyond reach.

Golaz-o-meter: 9/10