It was quite a Saturday in the A-League, with fans witnessing two very memorable goals for two very different reasons.
First up, the New Zealand derby between Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC delivered one of the more epic goalkeeping howlers you’re ever likely to see.
With scores locked at 0-0 in the 24th minute, Auckland’s Jake Girdwood-Reich scored the opening goal in outrageous circumstances, following a calamitous error by Wellington’s English goalkeeper, Josh Oluwayemi.
Not dissimilar to a junior footy match Girdwood-Reich blasted the ball high out of defence—only for Oluwayemi to hopelessly misjudge the flight of the ball and watch on as it ended up in the back of his own net.
Described by commentators as an ‘absolute catastrophe’ ultimately the goal made little difference to the final result with Auckland taking a commanding 5-0 win to maintain its perfect record in NZ derbies since entering the competition in 2024.
A former Tottenham youth player, Oluwayemi, 24, was benched at half time but he wasn’t the only person to feel heat with Wellington coach Giancarlo Italiano resigning post-match.
WHAT HAVE WE JUST WITNESSED?! 🤯🤯
Jake Girdwood-Reich has somehow found the back of the net from miles away. Simply outrageous.
📺 Watch #WELvAKL live now on Paramount+ (AU) or Sky Sport (NZ) pic.twitter.com/FyenkZEhFi
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) February 21, 2026Magnificent Mata
Meanwhile on the other side of the Tasman, Spanish superstar Juan Mata scored one of the more brilliant goals you’re ever likely to see in the latest Melbourne derby at AAMI Park.
The 37-year-old brilliantly lobbed Melbourne City and Socceroos goalkeeper Patrick Beach from long range with a sublime first touch to opening the scoring in the first half, before netting a second goal in the 64th minute as the Victory ran out 3-1 winners to move up to fifth on the A-League ladder.
OH MY WORD! JUAN MATA SCORES A SCREAMER FROM LONG RANGE 🚀🤯
The Spaniard chips the goalkeeper from miles out in the Melbourne Derby. Unbelievable 👑
📺 Watch #MCYvMVC live now on 10 Drama, Paramount+ or stream free on 10. pic.twitter.com/AZ6iiM9CTv
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) February 21, 2026