The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie between Real Madrid and Arsenal inevitably featured several intriguing subplots last night.
The most noteworthy was undoubtedly the clash between England teammates Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park.
Rice – a player with a penchant for going missing in big games – versus Bellingham – the Three Lions’ golden child.
There would surely only be one winner? Seemingly not.
Rice outclasses Bellingham on a sorry night for Madrid
Bellingham had plenty to say for himself in the run-up to the game, before delivering an absolutely dreadful performance.
Rice stifled Bellingham throughout the game to finally demonstrate he could step up to the mark when the heat is on.
By contrast, the Madrid midfielder’s overbearing petulance consumed him. He resembled a child who had lost a dummy, albeit without the tears.
While combativeness is a key trait for midfielders, Bellingham is increasingly showing signs that he has started to believe the hype surrounding him.
During the second half, the commentator on TNT Sports failed to mention him for at least ten minutes.
Some viewers may have assumed he had been substituted, such was his anonymity during that passage of play.
While Bellingham was hiding, Rice strode around the park in the manner of a player who was desperate to prove he belonged on the biggest stage.
He has plenty of previous form for failing to deliver in key games – two woeful performances against Aston Villa last season immediately spring to mind.
However, Rice’s display at the Bernabeu Stadium was praiseworthy. He kept Bellingham under wraps and drove the Gunners forward whenever he could.
Rice must now prove he can reach the same heights against Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. And if they come through that tie, do it again in the final.
If Rice helps Arsenal win the Champions League, he can then justifiably stick two fingers up at his critics.
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Manchester United versus Lyon or Eintracht Frankfurt versus Tottenham Hotspur? Thank goodness for split-screen televisions!
