lee kang-in scores on Atlético Madrid debut in 2-0 win
Marked his Atlético Madrid debut with a superb goal as Diego Simeone’s side beat Málaga 2-0 in their LaLiga opener at the Metropolitano on Wednesday. Álex…
MADRID — lee kang-in marked his Atlético Madrid debut with a superb goal as Diego Simeone’s side opened their LaLiga campaign with a 2-0 win over Málaga on Wednesday at the Metropolitano. Álex Baena added a stunning free kick five minutes from time, giving Atlético a late but comfortable finish to a match that stayed tight for long spells.
The result matters for Atlético beyond the scoreline. A new signing delivered in his first league game, and Simeone got the sort of response teams chase in an opener: patience, control, then two decisive moments. For Málaga, there was little room for complaint after they held firm for most of the night and still left empty-handed.
lee kang-in delivers after a slow start
The game took time to warm up. Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested until Málaga’s Alfonso Herrero saved from Rodrigo Mendoza, and Atlético had to wait until after the break to turn pressure into chances.
Ademola Lookman forced Herrero into action, then Carlos Martín, Lee and Dávid Hancko all missed the target as the hosts pushed forward. Lee finally broke through in the 70th minute, controlling Hancko’s crossfield ball, shimming past three defenders and curling a left-foot shot inside the far post.
It was the kind of finish that can settle a debut. Clean, quick, ruthless. The stadium responded immediately, and Málaga never found a way back after that.
Simeone praises both scorers
Baena sealed it with a well-worked free kick from just outside the area after he was brought down by Izan Merino. The shot flew over the wall and into the top corner, ending any hope of a late Málaga response.
After the match, Simeone refused to single out one player. “It would be unfair to single out Álex or Kang-In. Both were fantastic,” he said. “They were two brilliant goals. We needed them. Málaga played a great game.”
He also described Lee as “a player who has to adapt to the demands of the game” and added that the winger is “a committed player to his team.”
The coach was also asked whether Baena could fill the attack gap left by Antoine Griezmann’s departure at the end of last season, but Simeone pushed back on that idea. “I’m not looking for someone like Griezmann. Everyone is different,” he said. “Álex is in a good place right now, you can see he’s playing well. We have to take advantage of that energy you get from winning a World Cup.”
For Atlético, the night ended with the kind of detail coaches remember. Lee’s debut goal. Baena’s late strike. And a clean start to the league season in front of their home crowd.
There was one more glimpse of Atlético’s control before the final whistle: Hancko headed against the bar soon after Lee scored, a reminder that the hosts had chances in reserve even after the match had opened up.
