Manchester City rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat Atletico Madrid 3-1 in a preseason friendly at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday, dampening Korean star Lee Kang-in's Atleti debut before approximately 50,000 spectators.

For both clubs, the fixture served as part of their summer preparation ahead of upcoming European campaigns, giving managers an opportunity to integrate new personnel and test tactical setups against high-level opposition. Lee Kang-in, one of South Korea's most celebrated football exports, drew particular attention as he made his first appearance for Atletico Madrid on home soil.

Teenage defender Jorge Dominguez opened the scoring for Atletico Madrid in the 43rd minute, but Omar Marmoush responded with a second-half brace for Manchester City. Rayan Ait-Nouri added a third goal late in the match to seal the victory.

Lee, who came on as a substitute for Rodrigo Mendoza in the 63rd minute, managed a couple of attempts on goal but could not change the outcome.

Manchester City asserted control early, using high pressing to force turnovers in the attacking third. Right winger Savinho created several dangerous opportunities through individual brilliance, driving into the right side of the box to unleash a left-footed effort that goalkeeper Jan Oblak parried away. In the 23rd minute, Savinho cut back from the right and struck forcefully from outside the box, but failed to hit the target.

Atletico Madrid struck against the run of play just before halftime. Following a corner kick, Morten Hjulmand got a touch on a loose ball and directed it toward goal. Dominguez, the youngest Atleti starter at 16 years old, slipped behind the defense and poked the ball into the bottom right corner for a 1-0 lead.

Manchester City erased the deficit shortly after the restart, with Antoine Semenyo and Marmoush linking up twice in quick succession. For the equalizer, Semenyo rescued the ball near the left touchline, evaded a challenge, and delivered a cross that Marmoush converted by beating defender Dani Martinez to the ball.

Only two minutes later, the pair combined again for the go-ahead goal. Semenyo provided another delivery from the left wing, and Marmoush slotted it past Oblak to give Manchester City a 2-1 advantage.

Seeking to shift momentum, Atletico Madrid introduced nine substitutes in the 63rd minute, with Lee replacing Mendoza. Lee immediately took a free kick from just outside the right corner of the box but sent his effort high and wide of the left post.

The Korean international had a more promising opportunity in the 76th minute when he attempted to convert a pass from Arnau Sola, but his left-footed strike sailed over the crossbar.

After Manchester City missed several chances to extend their lead, Ait-Nouri scored the club's third in the 90th minute. Divin Mubama set up the defender with a one-on-one opportunity against goalkeeper Salvi Esquivel, which Ait-Nouri duly converted.

Iker Luque mounted a final counterattack for Atletico Madrid in the closing seconds but struck the right side of the netting.

The match was part of the 2026 Coupang Play Series, an annual exhibition event that brings major European clubs to South Korea for preseason fixtures.