Real Madrid needed a stoppage-time goal from substitute Carlos Espí to beat Elche 3-2 away from home, after squandering a two-goal lead in the second half of the LaLiga match.
Real Madrid had gone 2-0 up shortly after the half-hour mark but watched Elche level the score at 2-2 by the 83rd minute, putting the visitors at risk of a second away defeat of the season. Espí settled the contest in the first minute of added time to make it 3-2.
It was the second time this season that the 21-year-old forward has scored a late winner for Real Madrid. He also struck in the 90th minute of the club's opening match against Espanyol. Against Elche, Espí followed up a run from Kylian Mbappé to find the net, just four minutes after coming on as a substitute for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 87th minute.
Güler and Mbappé put Real Madrid in control
Real Madrid took the lead through Arda Güler in the 25th minute and doubled it through Mbappé in the 33rd, appearing to be in full command of the match. But the team eased off after the break, and bottom-of-the-table Elche fought back through goals from Osorio in the 71st minute and Niño in the 83rd, before Espí's late intervention settled the contest.
Valencia win away under interim coach
Valencia claimed an away win at Alavés, finishing 1-0 ahead at the Mendizorroza, with interim coach Óscar Sánchez in charge just days after the club removed Vicente Corberán from the dugout. It was part of the sixth round of LaLiga fixtures.
Substitute Luis Rioja scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute, fourteen minutes after coming on. The defeat was Alavés's second straight loss in the league, following a 2-1 defeat to Racing Santander the previous Saturday, September 12.
Rayo Vallecano ease past Espanyol
Two goals inside the first 25 minutes proved enough for Rayo Vallecano to claim their second LaLiga win of the season, beating Espanyol 2-1.
Spanish midfielder Álvaro García, 33, was the standout performer for the Madrid side, opening the scoring in just the third minute. His assist set up Pedrosa to make it 2-0 in the 26th minute for the nominal hosts, with Rayo Vallecano playing their home fixtures at Leganés's stadium this season.
Espanyol pulled a goal back quickly in the second half through Roberto Fernández in the 54th minute, but despite pressing Rayo Vallecano's defence, they could not find an equaliser.
Saturday's results and standings
Matchday six also produced a goalless draw between Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo. Several fixtures were still to be played, including Atlético Madrid against Osasuna, Deportivo La Coruña against Sevilla and Barcelona against Racing Santander, all scheduled for September 16, with Levante against Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis against Getafe and Málaga against Villarreal following on September 17.
After five matches played by most clubs, Barcelona led the table with 15 points, level on points with Real Madrid, who had played six games. Real Betis sat third with 12 points, ahead of Alavés, Atlético Madrid and Sevilla, who were all tied on 10.
Deportivo La Coruña held ninth place with 9 points ahead of their fixture against Sevilla. Elche remained bottom of the table with 2 points from six matches, level with Villarreal, who also had 2 points from five games.
