G2 Esports Falls to Third Place Finish in MSI Group Stage
G2 Esports faced a disappointing defeat on Day 5 of MSI, resulting in a third-place finish for the LEC champions. Despite this, it was still a superior outcome compared to Team Liquid from North America. Team Liquid, after losing to SK telecom T1, managed to bounce back and dismantle G2, creating an intense NA vs. EU rivalry.
Although the past few days have been challenging for the LCS representatives, they fought their way through and secured a playoff spot. Here’s a breakdown of how it all unfolded.
G2 Esports’ Journey at MSI
G2 Esports kicked off their MSI campaign with a solid victory over Korean powerhouse SKT. This unexpected win gave hope to the European region, as G2’s creative playstyle caught SKT off guard. However, they couldn’t maintain their momentum and fell short against Invictus Gaming in their next match.
The second day proved to be more successful for G2 as they defeated Team Liquid in an exciting international showdown, followed by a win against Flash Wolves. These victories showcased G2’s strong teamwork and Caps’ outstanding performance, redeeming himself after a rough game against Rookie the previous day.
Despite their early success, G2 faced setbacks on Day 3 when they suffered an upset against PVB. They narrowly beat SKT to salvage their standing. Unfortunately, their form deteriorated over the last two days, with their only win coming against Flash Wolves. Invictus Gaming proved to be too dominant for G2, ultimately leading to a third-place finish with a 5-5 record.
Team Liquid’s Path at MSI
Team Liquid secured their spot in the Group Stage after a decisive 3-0 victory over Phong Vu Buffalo in the Play-In Stage. This marked a significant achievement for TL, providing hope to LCS fans that teams other than Cloud9 can excel at international events. Doublelift, TL’s ADC, reached this milestone for the first time in his career.
The North American representatives started their MSI journey strong with victories over Flash Wolves and Phong Vu Buffalo. Despite these wins coming against considered weaker teams, they were crucial for TL’s morale. However, their momentum was halted when they faced G2 and Invictus Gaming, struggling with communication and coordination.
The following day was equally challenging as TL suffered defeats against SKT and Flash Wolves. Although Xmithie’s jungle dominance from the NA region was absent, Impact remained a reliable force in the top lane. TL managed to secure a win against Phong Vu Buffalo, but they were largely overpowered by IG and SKT. Nonetheless, TL’s highlight of the group stage was their victory over G2, improving their record to 4-6 and finishing one game behind G2.
The MSI Group Stage showcased both ups and downs for G2 Esports and Team Liquid. However, securing a spot in the quarterfinals provides an opportunity for both teams to make an impact and bridge the gap between the East and the West.
Related G2 Esports, Team Liquid, MSI, LEC champions, playoffs, North America, European region, SKT, Flash Wolves, Invictus Gaming, international events, ADC, Group Stage, quarterfinals