Baena masterclass: Atletico beat Malaga 2-0 to start La Liga 2026/27
Álex Baena’s late free kick and a Lee Kang‑in strike gave Atletico a 2-0 win over Malaga in the La Liga opener.
Atleti opened the 2026/27 La Liga campaign with a home victory: Atletico Madrid beat Malaga 2-0 at the Cívitas Metropolitano on 19 August 2026.
Second-half goals settle the contest
Despite missing their two leading forwards, Alvarez and Sorloth, Diego Simeone's side found a way to win in front of their supporters. Malaga produced several threatening moments and tested Jan Oblak, but the hosts held firm and turned the game around after the hour mark.
The breakthrough arrived in the 70th minute through Lee Kang-in, who finished a move that opened the deadlock. With the score still close, Álex Baena sealed the result with a superb free kick in the 85th minute, making it 2-0 and ending any suspense about the winner.
Simeone will take encouragement from the three points more than from the manner of the victory; the coach’s priority remains results as the season begins.
The match was played in Madrid and counted for round 1 of La Liga; publication time: 19.08.2026 23:08. Report by Zoran Gjorshoski.
Photo: press material from the event
