Atletico Madrid 2-0 Malaga Player Ratings: Late Goals From Kang-In Lee and Baena Sealed Atletico's First Win Of The Season Despite Malaga's Brave Fight

Diego Simeone's side kicked off their La Liga 2026/27 campaign in a home fixture against Malaga. The Andalusian side were making a comeback in the Spanish top division after eight years, and they went toe-to-toe with one of the three top sides of Spanish football in their own backyard.

Atletico Madrid had taken more shots, but only one of those was on target, while Malaga failed to register even one in the first half. The Andalusian side had slightly more possession, but were rather toothless in front of goal.

The inability of both teams to create even a single big chance in the first half paints a picture that both teams were rigid defensively, but both of them lacked the extra push needed in attack, thereby ending the first 45 minutes in a goalless snoozefest.

Malaga CF had a shot saved in the second half, when Rodrigo Mendoza's low shot was saved by the outstretched leg of Alfonso Herrero. A lot of senior players were brought into the mix by Simeone to grab the decisive goal before time ran out.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute, when new recruit Kang-In Lee scored a belter from outside the box to give Los Colchoneros the much-needed lead, leading the Atleti fans to explode in the stadium.

The second strike followed shortly, when Alex Baena curled one at Herrero's far post from a direct free-kick to put the game beyond Malaga's reach in the 85th minute.

Check out the Atletico Madrid vs Malaga Player Ratings below.

Key Takeaways

• Dávid Hancko and Joaquín Muñoz both won the most duels in this game (7).
• Rafita recorded the most successful interceptions in this match (4).
• Arnau Ortiz had the most key passes (3).

Atletico Madrid Player Ratings vs Malaga

Here are the Atletico Madrid Player Ratings from the Atletico Madrid vs Malaga Player Ratings.

Malaga Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid

Take a look at the Malaga Player Ratings from the Atletico Madrid vs Malaga Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Dávid Hancko was adjudged Sportsdunia's best player from Atletico Madrid vs Malaga.

Worst Performer

Chupe was the worst of the lot in this La Liga game.