In the old Russian fairy tale of Dobrynya Nikitich, a valiant knight faces a fearsome fire-spitting three-headed dragon -- a beast of such terror that slaying it demands more than mere strength.

Yesterday at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal lived a fairy tale of their own in the quarter-final first-leg fixture of the Champions League. The dragon was Real Madrid -- 15-time winners, masters of the Houdini-esque escape.

A team do not simply beat Real Madrid in this competition. They have to vanquish Los Blancos. And vanquish them Arsenal did.

On what turned out to be a magical night in London, the Gunners brought more than belief -- they brought brilliance. Like the hero Dobrynya, they needed something otherworldly to prevail.

Enter Declan Rice.

The England midfielder, who had never before scored from a free-kick in his entire profession career spanning 338 games, summoned two of the finest strikes of his career. Two pieces of theatre. Two thunderbolts that cracked the illusion of Madrid's invincibility and lit up north London in red.

The first came in the 58th minute, from 25 yards. Calm as you like, Rice curled it around the wall and past a sprawling Thibaut Courtois -- a goalkeeper who is arguably the best in the business at present.

Photo: Reuters

Twelve minutes later, Rice struck again. This time from 20 yards, and this time with venom. The ball soared into the top corner, unstoppable and untouchable, as Courtois grasped at air. At that moment, the Emirates believed.

And so did Rice, becoming only the fifth player to have scored two direct free-kicks in a single Champions League match -- following Neymar, Ziyech, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Rivaldo.

By then, Real Madrid were shadows of themselves. Kylian Mbappe was muted, Vinicius Junior faded, and Jude Bellingham barely visible. Arsenal tightened the noose, and in the 75th minute, Mikel Merino drove in a third to complete the dream.

Three goals in 17 minutes. The Emirates roared. The dragon was down.

Arsenal recorded 11 shots on target -- the joint-most ever against Real in a Champions League knockout game (since 2003-04), matching Liverpool's tally from 2009. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

This was not just dominance. It was defiance. Carlo Ancelotti's charges were not just outplayed -- they were dismantled.

The second leg awaits in Madrid on April 16, and history warns against underestimating dragons that breathe fire until the final whistle. But Arsenal have never stood taller in Europe under coach Mikel Arteta. Not since 2009 have they come this close to the semi-finals. Now, they are one fearless night away.

For now, this was a tale to tell for years -- of Rice, of red shirts swarming, and of a dragon slain.