Kylian Mbappé delivered a Player of the Match performance as Real Madrid survived a spirited Elche side to claim a 3-2 victory in an enthralling five-goal contest on La Liga Matchday 6. It was the Frenchman's evening at Elche, where he proved the decisive figure in a game that refused to settle into any comfortable rhythm for the visitors. Real Madrid ultimately collected all three points, but the scoreline tells the story of a hosts who made life far from easy.

Elche pushed Real Madrid all the way in what turned into a back-and-forth affair. The home side twice found the net, ensuring Carlo Ancelotti's men could never relax, but Mbappé's influence was enough to tip the balance in Madrid's favor. The 3-2 result will give Real Madrid confidence heading into the next stretch of fixtures, though the defensive vulnerability exposed by Elche will be a point of concern for the coaching staff.

Elsewhere on Matchday 6, Valencia secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Alavés thanks to a goal from Luis Rioja against his former club. It was a bittersweet moment for Rioja, who spent time at Alavés before moving on, and he proved to be the difference in a tight encounter in Vitoria. The result gives Valencia a valuable three points on the road and continues a positive trajectory for the club.

For Alavés, the defeat at home will sting, particularly given that it came at the hands of a former player. Creating enough chances to break down organized opposition remains an issue for the Basque outfit, and they will need to find solutions quickly as the season progresses.

With Matchday 6 in the books, attention now turns to a busy upcoming schedule. Real Madrid will look to tighten up defensively while continuing to lean on Mbappé's match-winning quality, and Valencia will hope Rioja's knack for crucial goals continues. For Elche and Alavés, the focus will be on translating competitive performances into points before the table begins to take a more defined shape.