Atlético Madrid opened their 2026-27 LaLiga campaign with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Málaga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday. Lee Kang-in broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with a strike from outside the area, and Álex Baena sealed the result with a direct free-kick in the 85th.
Jorge Domínguez, aged 16 years, eight months and two days, became the youngest debutant in Atlético's history. Striker Julián Álvarez was absent from the matchday squad amid reports of a prospective move to FC Barcelona.
Málaga were returning to Spain's top flight for the first time in eight years after earning promotion via the playoffs. Atlético, whose preseason yielded two wins and two defeats, visit Villarreal next, while Málaga host Deportivo de la Coruña.