Atletico Madrid kicked off their 2026-27 LaLiga season with a 2-0 victory over Malaga, thanks to impressive second-half goals from Kang-in Lee and Álex Baena. The match, held at the Metropolitano Stadium, marked a solid start for Diego Simeone's side.

Match Highlights

Lee, who joined Atletico from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window, opened the scoring in the 70th minute with a remarkable shot that found the top-left corner of the net. Shortly after, Baena, who recently led Spain to World Cup glory, added a second goal with a stunning free-kick that struck the crossbar before going in, sealing the win for Atletico in the 85th minute.

The match was tightly contested, with both teams struggling to create clear chances in the first half. The first shot on target came in the 35th minute when Rodrigo Mendoza's effort was saved by Malaga's Alfonso Herrero. Atletico's goalkeeper Jan Oblak, making his 400th LaLiga appearance, was also called into action, denying attempts from Chupe and David Larrubia, the latter being flagged offside.

Impactful Performances

Atletico's breakthrough came after halftime, with Lee's goal showcasing his ability to navigate through multiple defenders before firing home. Baena's free-kick marked a significant milestone, as he became the first Spanish player to score from a direct free-kick for Atletico in LaLiga since Antonio Lopez in 2009. This was also Baena's second direct free-kick goal in the competition from 18 attempts.

Lee's performance was equally noteworthy; he became the third-youngest foreign player to score on his LaLiga debut for Atletico in the 21st century, at 25 years and 181 days old. He also contributed significantly in other areas, creating three chances and winning three tackles, tying for the team lead in both categories.

With this victory, Atletico extended their winning streak against Malaga to six matches in LaLiga, while also maintaining a strong defensive record, having kept five clean sheets in their last six encounters. The win sets a positive tone for Atletico as they embark on their league campaign.