Substitutes Kang-in Lee and Alex Baenas spectacular goals gave Atletico Madrid a late win at home to stubborn Malaga in their opening match of the Liga season at the Metropolitano. Home manager Diego Simeone kept many of his star names on the bench initially and did not name Julian Alvarez in his squad amid speculation over the strikers future. New signing Lee cut along the edge of the box and unleashed a sublime strike to put Atleti ahead in the 70th minute, followed by another astounding finish when World Cup 2026 winner Baena curled in a free-kick five minutes from time via the underside of the crossbar.Promoted last season, Malaga were missing a string of players through injury and threatened to go ahead when David Larrubia and Chupe were denied in quick succession by goalkeeper Jan Oblak, although the attack was then ruled offside. Table of ContentsAtleti vs Malaga: Simeone substitutes shineAtletico Madrid team vs MalagaMalaga team vs Atletico MadridAtleti vs Malaga: Simeone substitutes shineSimeone sent on his scorers and son Giuliano Simeone for Arnau Ortiz, Rodrigo Mendoza and Carlos Martin in the 57th minute, the trio of changes soon paying dividends for a youthful team.Lee, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in July for a reported fee of around �34.3m, announced himself to the home fans in game-changing, net-busting fashion and Atleti were unfortunate not to make the scoreline 2-0 earlier, David Hancko hitting the crossbar with a header.As Atleti attempt to improve upon a fourth-placed finish last season, Simeones selection decisions may have reflected a belief that the visit of last seasons third-placed finishers, Villarreal, will prove tougher on Saturday (16:00 BST).Malaga play their first home game of the season on Monday (20:30), facing one of the teams to have finished above them in the second tier in 2025/26, Deportivo.Atletico Madrid team vs MalagaAtletico Madrid starting XI: Jan Oblak, Jorge Dominguez, Robin Le Normand, David Hancko, Dani Martinez, Carlos Martin, Rodrigo Mendoza, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Arnau Ortiz, Ademola LookmanAtleti substitutes: Juan Musso, Jose Maria Gimenez, Johnny Cardoso, Lee Kang-In, Alex Baena, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Giuliano Simeone, Alejandro Grimaldo, Morten Hjulmand, Cubo, Jorge CastilloMalaga team vs Atletico MadridMalaga starting XI: Alfonso Herrero, Carlos Puga, Angel Recio, Einar Galilea, Rafita, David Larrubia, Carlos Dotor, Izan Merino, Dani Lorenzo, Joaquin Munoz, ChupeMalaga substitutes: Alex Pastor, Ramon Enriquez, Haitam Abaida, Jose Salinas, Carlos Lopez, Rafa Rodriguez, Eneko Jauregi, Juan Cruz, Julen Lobete, Joseph Otu, Juani Topics Ademola Lookman Atletico Madrid LaLiga Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Barcelona 2-1 Al Ahly: Report, result, goals from Joan Gamper Trophy 2026 Ben Miller 19th August, 2026 Barcelona vs Al Ahly: Confirmed Joan Gamper Trophy teams and line ups Ben Miller 19th August, 2026 Rodri: Barcelona sign Man City star in �65m transfer as Real Madrid miss out on Spain captain Jon Fisher 18th August, 2026 Im one of you, I always have been Mourinho revels in Madrid reunion at official presentation Nicholas McGee 18th August, 2026 Its crystal clear Simeone adamant Alvarez will stay at Atletico Nicholas McGee 18th August, 2026 Rodri arrives in Barcelona to complete dream move Nicholas McGee 17th August, 2026
