Nahuel Molina Wondergoal in Madrid Derby 2026

Nahuel Molina Stuns the Bernabéu With Another Long-Range Screamer in the Madrid Derby

Nahuel Molina is suddenly the most talked-about right back in European football — and for good reason. The Argentine Atlético Madrid defender produced one of the goals of the La Liga season on March 22, 2026, rifling a 25-yard thunderbolt into the top corner at the Santiago Bernabéu to draw his side level at 2-2 in the Madrid derby. Even more remarkable? It was his second consecutive long-range wonder goal in as many weeks. Molina is on an extraordinary run of form in front of goal, and football fans across the world are scrambling to find out more about the man who keeps piledriving efforts past helpless goalkeepers from the edge of the box.

Although Real Madrid ultimately won the derby 3-2 — with Vinicius Junior delivering the decisive blow in the 71st minute — Molina's goal was the undeniable highlight of a pulsating afternoon at the Bernabéu. Here's everything you need to know about Nahuel Molina and his stunning brace of long-range strikes that have lit up La Liga this March.

The Wonder Goal: Breaking Down Molina's Strike at the Bernabéu

The 66th minute of a fiercely contested Madrid derby is no time for timidity — and Nahuel Molina showed none. Receiving the ball on the right flank after a sharp pass from Julian Álvarez, Molina drove inside, assessed the situation in an instant, and unleashed a ferocious effort that arced into the top corner past a helpless Andriy Lunin, who was deputizing in goal for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

The strike drew gasps from the Bernabéu crowd and immediate celebration from the Atlético faithful in the away end. At 2-2, Diego Simeone's side had fought back from conceding twice to level the game in dramatic fashion. Goal.com captured the moment in full, describing it as Molina "doing it again" — a nod to the fact that this was no fluke.

What made the goal even more impressive was the context. Atlético Madrid were chasing the game, the Bernabéu was rocking, and Molina — a right back, not a natural goalscorer — took on the responsibility of trying to win the ball back for his team with an audacious effort from distance. The execution was near-perfect: pace, curl, and placement combining to beat Lunin at the near post.

Second Week Running: Molina's Hot Streak From Outside the Box

This was not a one-off moment of inspiration. Just one week earlier, in the week of approximately March 15, 2026, Molina had scored a strikingly similar long-range goal against Getafe in La Liga — another powerful drive from outside the penalty area that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Back-to-back long-range goals from a defender is the kind of form that raises eyebrows across the continent.

Remarkably, those two goals now represent both of Molina's La Liga strikes for the entire season. He has only two league goals to his name in 2025-26, but both have been of the highest quality — the sort of goals that highlight reels are built around. As Yahoo Sports noted, the goal temporarily pegged Real Madrid back before Vinicius re-established their lead, underlining the impact Molina's strike had on the match.

Whether this is a new weapon in Molina's arsenal or a hot streak that will cool off remains to be seen. But right now, defenders across La Liga will be acutely aware of his shooting threat whenever he gets the ball in space outside the box.

Madrid Derby Drama: How the Game Unfolded

The 3-2 scoreline tells the story of a breathless encounter at the Bernabéu. Atlético Madrid drew first blood when Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 33rd minute — his fifth goal in just 14 games since joining from Atalanta for €35 million in February. The Nigerian international has settled in seamlessly at the Metropolitano and is proving to be a shrewd piece of January business.

Real Madrid responded emphatically before half-time to take a 2-1 lead, with Vinicius Junior at the heart of their attacking play. Molina then leveled matters with his stunning 66th-minute strike, sparking scenes of celebration among the Atlético players and staff. But Real Madrid had the last word when Vinicius scored what proved to be the winner in the 71st minute, completing his brace and giving Carlo Ancelotti's side all three points.

The closing stages of the match were also dominated by controversy. Federico Valverde was sent off in the 77th minute for a challenge on Alex Baena, reducing Real Madrid to ten men — though the damage was already done by that point. For a full tactical breakdown and post-match analysis, The Athletic's in-depth match report covers every key moment and decision in detail.

Adding another subplot to the day was the notable absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid's starting XI, after the England international was left out of the squad following reports that he had arrived late for training. It was a sensational off-field storyline that threatened to overshadow the action — until Molina's goal ensured the football itself stole the headlines.

Who Is Nahuel Molina? A Profile of Atlético's Argentine Wing-Back

Born on April 6, 1998, in Córdoba, Argentina, Nahuel Molina Lucero is a right back who combines defensive discipline with an impressive ability to contribute in the final third. He came through the youth ranks at Boca Juniors before moving to Europe, eventually making a name for himself at Udinese in Serie A with a series of high-energy performances at right wing-back.

His displays in Italy earned him a move to Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2022, where he has become a key component of Diego Simeone's dynamic, press-heavy system. Molina is not a typical full back — he is direct, carries the ball well, and has always shown a willingness to shoot from distance when the opportunity arises. His work rate on both sides of the ball makes him an ideal fit for the demands that Simeone places on his wide players.

On the international stage, Molina was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, famously providing the assist for Julián Álvarez's decisive goal in the semi-final against Croatia. He is a well-established member of Lionel Scaloni's setup and remains a reliable option at right back for the world champions.

La Liga Title Race: What the Derby Result Means

Despite the thrilling nature of the encounter, the result had significant implications for the La Liga title race. Real Madrid's 3-2 victory means they remain in second place — but critically, the win keeps them four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, who continue to set the pace at the top of the table.

For Atlético Madrid, the defeat is a blow to their Champions League qualification push and any lingering title ambitions. Simeone's side will take encouragement from their performance, particularly in the first half, but ultimately individual moments of brilliance from Vinicius proved the difference between the two clubs on the day.

The Madrid derby result serves as a reminder of just how tight and competitive La Liga remains with the season entering its final stretch. Every point counts, and performances like Molina's — even in defeat — can shift momentum heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nahuel Molina

What did Nahuel Molina do in the Madrid derby on March 22, 2026?

Molina scored a spectacular long-range goal in the 66th minute of Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, piledriving an effort from 25 yards into the top corner past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to make the score 2-2. Despite his goal, Atlético lost the match 3-2, with Vinicius Junior scoring the winning goal five minutes later.

How many La Liga goals does Nahuel Molina have this season?

Molina has scored two La Liga goals in the 2025-26 season — both from long range. His first came against Getafe in the week prior to the derby (around March 15, 2026), and his second was the wonder goal at the Bernabéu on March 22, 2026.

Who is Nahuel Molina?

Nahuel Molina is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a right back for Atlético Madrid in La Liga. Born on April 6, 1998, he is also a regular member of the Argentina national team and was part of the squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Why was Trent Alexander-Arnold left out of the Madrid derby?

Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of Real Madrid's starting XI for the Madrid derby after reportedly arriving late for training ahead of the match. He did not feature in the squad on the day.

What was the final score of the Madrid derby on March 22, 2026?

Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu. Ademola Lookman scored first for Atlético, before Real Madrid took a 2-1 lead. Molina equalized at 2-2 in the 66th minute, but Vinicius Junior scored in the 71st minute to win the match for the hosts. Federico Valverde was sent off for Real Madrid in the 77th minute.

Conclusion: A Moment of Magic in a Season-Defining Derby

Nahuel Molina's wondergoal at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 22, 2026 encapsulates everything that makes football so compelling — a moment of individual brilliance from an unlikely source, arriving at the most intense stage of the biggest match of the season. Back-to-back long-range screamers in the space of a week have turned the Argentine right back into one of the most discussed players in European football overnight.

While the result ultimately went against Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid continue to chase down leaders Barcelona in the title race, Molina's contribution to one of the goals of the La Liga season will not be forgotten. For a player with only two league goals all season, both have arrived when the spotlight was brightest — and both have been absolutely spectacular.

Keep an eye on Nahuel Molina for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign. If his recent form from distance is anything to go by, there may be more long-range magic to come.