Atletico Madrid Start La Liga Season with Clean Win Over Newcomers Malaga

Atletico Madrid opened their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 home victory over newly promoted Malaga.

The first half was closely contested, with neither side creating many clear chances early on. After the first water break, Malaga grew more active and put the hosts under pressure several times, forcing goalkeeper Jan Oblak into two important saves to keep the score level. The referee was strict throughout the half, issuing three yellow cards in total — two to Atletico players and one to a Malaga defender in stoppage time.

Substitutions turn the tide

After the break, Malaga continued pushing forward, but their energy gradually faded, allowing Atletico to take control of the match. The home side made four substitutions early in the second half, and the fresh legs proved decisive.

In the 70th minute, newly introduced forward I Kanins scored his first goal in an Atletico shirt, breaking through from the right flank and finding the far corner. Shortly afterward, Spanish World Cup winner Alex Baena doubled the lead with a precise free kick that flew just under the crossbar, making it 2-0.

The two clubs had not met in six years, since 2018, when Atletico also won 1-0. Malaga returned to La Liga after a six-year absence and will next face fellow newcomers Deportivo La Coruna on August 24. Atletico, meanwhile, will take on Villarreal later this week.