Lee Kang-in made an impressive official debut for Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, scoring the opening goal and earning Man of the Match honors as the Spanish club beat Malaga 2-0 in their 2026-27 LaLiga season opener. Atletico Madrid's South Korean midfielder #07 Lee Kang-in celebrates scoring their first goal during the Spanish league football match agaomst Malaga CF at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Aug. 19, 2026. (AFP-Yonhap) Atletico Madrid's South Korean midfielder #07 Lee Kang-in Lee (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the Spanish league football match between Atletico Madrid and Malaga CF at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Aug. 19, 2026. (AFP-Yonhap) The South Korean midfielder came on at halftime in the home match at Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, with the score tied 0-0. He immediately injected energy into Atletico Madrid's attack, moving across the attacking line and midfield.His breakthrough came in the 70th minute. After receiving a pass from David Hancko on the right, Lee dribbled past a defender and cut inside before unleashing a left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball curled beautifully into the corner of the net to give Atletico Madrid the lead.The goal was Lee's first for Atletico Madrid since joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the new season. It was also his first LaLiga goal since May 2023, when he scored against Athletic Bilbao while playing for Mallorca.Lee had joined Atletico Madrid's preseason training late because of administrative procedures related to his military service exemption and was therefore left out of the starting lineup.Atletico Madrid doubled their lead in the 85th minute when Alex Baena curled a free kick over the wall and into the corner.