Atlético Madrid opened their 2026-27 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Málaga on Wednesday, with Lee Kang-In and Álex Baena scoring in the second half at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Kang-In broke the deadlock in the 70th minute before Baena sealed the win with a spectacular free kick five minutes from time, giving Atlético a commanding start to the season.
The victory was particularly notable as it marked the debut of the reunited duo of Kang-In and Baena, who have known each other since their youth years and were playing together at club level for the first time.
According to ESPN, Atlético dominated possession with 53 percent and created multiple chances throughout the match, registering six shots on target compared to Málaga’s one.
Málaga’s Long Road Back to La Liga
Málaga’s appearance on Wednesday represented a historic return to Spain’s top flight after eight years away.
The Andalusian club earned promotion by defeating Almería 2-1 in the Segunda División playoff final in June, capping a remarkable ascent from Spain’s third tier, known as “el pozo” (the well), which they had entered in 2023, according to the BBC.
Málaga’s journey back highlighted the resilience of both the club and its fanbase after years of financial turmoil and sporting decline following the departure of key players in 2013.
The club had fallen from competing in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2013 to the brink of extinction, having been relegated from La Liga in 2018 and sliding into the third tier by 2023.
Under the leadership of manager Juan Francisco Funes, a former teacher with no prior professional coaching experience, Málaga rebuilt around young academy players and local talent, including striker Chupe, who scored 25 goals in the 2025-26 season, according to the BBC.
An estimated 185,000 fans lined the streets of Málaga in June to celebrate the team’s promotion after years of financial hardship and uncertainty.
Sources
- ESPN — final score, goalscorers (Kang-In 70′, Baena 85′), match statistics, and possession data
- BBC Sport — Málaga’s eight-year absence from La Liga, promotion playoff victory over Almería, third-tier entry in 2023, manager Juan Francisco Funes’s background as a teacher, Chupe’s goal tally, and fan celebration attendance
- Wikipedia — Málaga’s promotion after defeating Almería 2-1 in the playoff final
