Lee Kang-in Scores Debut Goal in Atletico Debut, Named MVP of Season Opener

Lee Kang-in, who has newly joined Spanish professional football club Atletico Madrid, scored his debut goal in his La Liga season opener.

Lee scored the opening and winning goal for Atletico in the 25th minute of the second half during the first round home match of the 2026-2027 La Liga season against Malaga, held today (the 20th) at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.

Receiving a pass from David Hancko, Lee shook the net with a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty arc.

This is the debut goal scored by Lee in his official debut match after transferring to Atletico this month, leaving Paris Saint-Germain (France) where he played for three seasons.

This marks the first time Lee has scored in La Liga in three years and eight months, since his match against Bilbao in May 2023 while playing for Mallorca.

Leading Atletico to victory, Lee was selected as the Man of the Match (MVP).

Atletico secured a comfortable 2-0 victory, adding a free-kick goal scored by Alex Baena in the 40th minute of the second half.

Lining up in their main 4-4-2 tactical formation, Atletico left Lee on the bench and formed their frontline with Arnau Ortiz and Ademola Lookman.

Rodri Mendoza and Carlos Martin started as wide wingers.

Lee joined Atletico's preseason training late due to administrative procedures related to his military service exemption.

He, along with several other key new transfers, was named to the substitute bench.

Players who reached advanced stages at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup and were unable to properly complete the preseason, including Marcos Llorente, Baena (both from Spain), Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez, and Cristian Romero (Argentina), also sat on the bench or were left off the match roster.

As the first half proved frustrating with a scoreless flow, Atletico manager Diego Simeone brought on Llorente at the start of the second half.

Then, in the 12th minute of the second half, Lee, wearing the number 7 jersey, and Baena stepped onto the pitch simultaneously.

Substituted in for Martin, Lee moved widely from the frontline to the third line and the right flank, creating scoring opportunities.

In the 14th minute of the second half, Lee unleashed a bold left-footed mid-range shot from about 30 meters out.

In the 20th minute of the second half, he targeted the goal once again with a left-footed curling shot from the penalty arc.

Having finished warming up, Lee's left foot flashed brilliantly in the 25th minute of the second half.

Receiving a pass from Hancko on the right, Lee dribbled past three opposing players, rapidly cut into the center, and struck a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty arc into the far left corner of the net.

He activated his scoring machine just 13 minutes after being substituted onto the pitch.

Atletico added another goal in the 40th minute of the second half through Baena's direct free-kick shot that exquisitely cleared the defensive wall.

Baena's right-footed curling shot was exceptionally sharp.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.