Thibaut Courtois has owned up to his part in Real Madrid’s crushing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, admitting fault for the opening goal a well-taken free kick by Declan Rice that set the tone for a dominant display by the Premier League side in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.

The match at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal dismantle a lackluster Madrid side with precision, intensity, and clinical execution. Declan Rice opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a superbly curled free-kick that sailed past a static Courtois and nestled into the near post. It was a goal born from both technical brilliance and, as Courtois himself admitted, misjudgment in goalkeeping tactics.

Speaking after the match, Courtois said, “I thought I’d positioned the wall well. I usually put an extra man in. I take responsibility for that; I could have put an extra man in, but I thought [Rice] wouldn’t get as much curl on it.” His candid assessment reflects the high standards he holds himself to but on this occasion, the execution fell short, and Madrid paid dearly.

Rice wasn’t done. Just over ten minutes later, the England international doubled his tally with a thunderous strike into the top corner from another set-piece, leaving Courtois helpless once again. While the Belgian goalkeeper praised the quality of the goal, he was quick to criticize the buildup to it. “They were unnecessary fouls, when there was no danger. Perhaps we shouldn’t make those fouls,” he added, clearly frustrated by his team’s defensive decision-making.

The 3-0 scoreline leaves Real Madrid facing an uphill battle in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. With midfielder Eduardo Camavinga suspended following a red card late in the game, and questions swirling around the defensive setup, Los Blancos will need one of their trademark Champions League turnarounds to stay in the competition.

Despite the odds, Courtois remains hopeful. “If we score one or two quick goals, the third one will come on its own. It’s possible to come back, but it’s not a good start,” he said, summing up the cautious optimism that still lingers within the Madrid camp.

The defeat at the Emirates serves as a stark reminder of the margin for error at this level, and Courtois’ accountability stands out amidst the disappointment. With the return leg looming, Madrid will need more than belief they’ll need focus, discipline, and brilliance to flip the script and keep their European dreams alive.