Atletico Madrid defeats Malaga 2-0 in La Liga opener

Atletico Madrid secured a successful start to their 2026 La Liga season by defeating Malaga 2-0 on Wednesday, August 19. Despite a sluggish first half where both sides struggled to find momentum, manager Diego Simeone implemented tactical adjustments that shifted the game in favor of his team.

The breakthrough occurred in the 70th minute when Kang-In Lee, making his debut for the club, scored with an impressive individual effort. The victory was finalized in the 85th minute after Baena converted a direct free kick. This result leaves Atletico Madrid with their first three points of the campaign, establishing a positive trajectory early in the season.

The match concluded a busy opening round of La Liga fixtures that began on August 15. Other results from the opening week include victories for Alaves, Sevilla, and Espanyol, while matches between Racing Santander and Villarreal, as well as Deportivo La Coruna and Elche, ended in draws. Atletico Madrid will now look to carry this momentum into their upcoming fixtures as the season continues.