Tribute and Málaga’s Return
The season opener began with a tribute to the Spanish internationals who had secured Spain’s second World Cup star, with the presence of coach Luis de la Fuente in the stands. Following the homage, a respectful minute of silence was observed for the club’s deceased members and for the victims of the recent earthquake in Venezuela. The atmosphere was heightened by the excitement that Málaga CF was returning to La Liga after eight years away, in a first‑day fixture that marked the start of the campaign.
First Half Without Danger
During the first 45 minutes, Atlético Madrid dominated possession and set the tempo, but a lack of verticality prevented real danger. The visitors were limited to a couple of crosses from the left wing that found no finisher in the box. On the home side, Arnau Ortiz showed flashes of mobility to give the locals some breathing room, while Ademola Lookman was imprecise without a target man to latch onto and exploit the element of surprise. The break left the hosts with a bitter taste and the visitors with a pleasant impression.
Lee’s Goal and Baena’s Second
Kang‑In Lee took the ball from the right side, cut to the center in a swift diagonal and struck a brilliant shot that landed near the right corner of Alfonso Herrero, scoring the match’s first goal. Just three minutes later, Lee delivered a precise pass to Lookman, who fired a cross that Herrero miraculously cleared. The red‑white pressure did not relent, and at 74', David Hancko smashed a solid header in the far post after a corner taken by Álex Baena.
The Colchoneros’ dominance paid off in the final minutes. In a move inside the penalty area, Álex Baena positioned himself with a right‑hand profile and delivered a flawless right‑footed shot straight to the right corner of Herrero, leaving the Málaga goalkeeper with no chance and igniting the stands. With these two goals, Atlético Madrid secured a 2‑0 win over Málaga, ensuring a solid start to the season and celebrating the triumphant return of Málaga’s fans to La Liga.
