With well-defined strategies and high-impact moments, teams faced off in battles that tested their coordination and execution. Here’s a recap of what happened on each map, highlighting key moments and player performances.
FNC vs M8: The Well-Oiled Orange Machine
Map 1: Abyss
From the start, Fnatic delivered a dominant attack, opting for a double-duelist composition and shifting Alfajer into a new role. To the surprise of many, Alfajer excelled on Jett, securing 11 consecutive rounds. A potential 13-0 sweep was narrowly avoided when M8 managed to win the last round of the half. On the other side, Minny and K4D4VRA were the only players to put up a decent performance, trying to keep their team in the fight, but the execution gap was clear.
Result: FNC 13 – 5 M8
Map 2: Fracture
Fnatic’s map pick played out similarly to the first. Kaajak shined with 27 eliminations and an impressive ACS of 397, playing a crucial role in Fnatic’s offense. Despite the efforts of K4D4VRA and Minny once again attempting to rally Gentle Mates, the difference in performance was undeniable. Fnatic secured key rounds and managed the decisive moments better, sealing the victory with ease.
Result: FNC 13 – 6 M8
TL vs GX: The Spanish Giant on the Ropes
Map 1: Fracture
Team Liquid started strong, winning the pistol and follow-up round. However, what happened next was completely unexpected—GX’s coach, pipsoN, called a timeout after losing just the first two rounds, a move many deemed “one of the worst timeouts” ever seen in competitive play. Liquid’s attack was extremely solid, with Kamo standing out with 22 eliminations, making a huge impact. On the other side, Purp0 had a good map but, unfortunately, his team couldn’t support him enough.
Result: TL 13 – 8 GX
Map 2: Split
Liquid continued their dominance with an even stronger execution. Keiko was the standout player on this map with 25 eliminations, demonstrating his ability to close rounds effectively. GX had some individual highlights, with Purp0 once again shining, but they couldn’t disrupt Liquid’s rhythm. The strategic and coordination differences were evident, allowing Team Liquid to close the series comfortably.
Result: TL 13 – 6 GX
These results eliminated GIANTX and M8 from the Kickoff, while Team Liquid and Fnatic move forward—but with no room for error, as their next defeat will knock them out of the tournament.
