Kang-in Lee scores on Atlético debut as Simeone’s side beat Málaga

Atlético Madrid opened their 2026-27 LaLiga campaign with a 2-0 victory over Málaga as Kang-in Lee marked his competitive debut for the club with a goal at the Metropolitano.

Diego Simeone’s side were held scoreless through the first half before changes from the bench transformed the contest. Lee was introduced alongside Álex Baena and Giuliano Simeone in the 57th minute as Atlético looked for a way through a Málaga defence that had frustrated them for much of the evening.

The breakthrough arrived around 13 minutes later.

Lee collected possession on the right, moved inside onto his left foot and finished to give Atlético the lead, delivering an immediate impact in his first official appearance since joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Baena then secured the points with a direct free-kick, giving Atlético the separation their second-half pressure had begun to deserve and ending Málaga’s hopes of taking something from their return to LaLiga.

The result offered Simeone an encouraging start to the new season, but the manner of the victory was particularly significant. Atlético had struggled to turn possession into clear chances before the second-half substitutions, with Lee and Baena providing greater creativity and attacking urgency after their introduction.

For Lee, the goal represented an ideal beginning to the next stage of his career. The South Korea international arrived in Madrid after leaving PSG and has signed a long-term contract running until 2031. His ability to operate between midfield and the forward line gives Simeone another technically strong option across several attacking roles.

Málaga, back in Spain’s top flight, remained competitive for long periods and reached the interval level before Atlético’s increased quality from the bench eventually decided the game.

Atlético therefore begin the campaign with three points, a clean sheet and an immediate contribution from one of their major summer additions.

Lee’s debut goal provided the defining moment, while Baena’s free-kick ensured a controlled finish to an opening-night victory that initially required patience before Atlético found their breakthrough.