Atlético Madrid got its 2026-2027 season off to a perfect start. In its first LaLiga outing, Diego Simeone's side won 2-0 against Málaga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, in a match that remained tight for much of the game.
The Madrid side had to wait until the second half to make the difference. And it was two players who came on as substitutes who unlocked the situation: Kang-in Lee in the 70th minute, then Álex Baena in the 85th.
Kang-in Lee, already decisive
For his first appearance in Atlético's shirt, Kang-in Lee didn't take long to make his mark.
Having arrived this summer from Paris Saint-Germain, the South Korean unlocked a match that had until then lacked attacking solutions. His decisive strike in the 70th minute allowed him to begin his Madrid adventure in the best possible way.
Beyond the goal, his introduction brought more creativity and the ability to make the difference in the final third. This is precisely what Simeone might expect from his new attacking midfielder.
Two substitutes, two goals
Álex Baena then put the game definitively beyond Málaga's reach in the 85th minute. The Spaniard, who had already joined the club during the previous summer transfer window, also made an immediate impact on the match after coming on.
This victory therefore gives Simeone an interesting first lesson: his bench can already change the course of matches.
But Atlético will still need to step up its game. Against a newly-promoted Málaga side that was well organized for long periods, the Colchoneros sometimes lacked fluidity and had to wait for their substitutes to provide the spark.
For Kang-in Lee, however, the start could not have been more convincing. First match, first goal, and first promise: Atlético's new number 7 is already off and running.
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