The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2024’s Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) competition is nearing its climax. The four teams vying for the championship title have been determined after a thrilling day of quarterfinals action. Here’s a recap of the battles that unfolded on Day 3:
Virtus.pro Upsets Vitality in Overtime Marathon
The biggest upset of the tournament so far almost belonged to G2 Esports, who knocked out Team Spirit on Day 2. However, Virtus.pro (VP) nearly stole the show with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Vitality.
The opening map, Mirage, was a grueling 42-round affair. Vitality superstar Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut led the charge with a stellar performance (37 kills, 5 assists), but VP refused to back down. The first half went back-and-forth before Vitality edged out a 7-5 lead. After switching sides, VP mounted a comeback, even taking a 10-8 lead. Vitality clawed their way back and forced overtime, but VP ultimately emerged victorious 22-20 after a nail-biting six-overtime period. Dzhami “Jame” Ali was instrumental in VP’s comeback, racking up 33 kills on the losing side.
Vitality seemed poised to bounce back on Inferno, leading 7-5 at halftime. However, VP completely flipped the script in the second half, capturing eight consecutive rounds to secure a dominant 13-7 win on the map. Jame once again spearheaded the victory with 19 kills. The decider on Dust2 was a one-sided affair. VP dominated from the start, winning the map 13-5 with David “n0rb3r7” Danielyan leading the charge (17 kills).
MOUZ Outlasts FURIA in Three-Map Battle
The second quarterfinal saw MOUZ overcome FURIA in a tightly contested three-game series.
MOUZ controlled the first map, Nuke, from the outset. They built a 7-5 lead on the CT side and cruised to a 13-7 victory after switching sides. It looked like MOUZ might secure a sweep on Mirage after leading 7-5 at halftime. However, FURIA staged a magnificent comeback, winning eight of the following ten rounds to take the map 13-11 and force a decider.
Inferno proved to be MOUZ’s redemption map. They dominated the first half as the CT side, building a commanding 9-3 lead. While FURIA showed signs of life with four round wins in the second half, MOUZ shut the door and secured the series victory with a 16-13 score. Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo was a consistent force for MOUZ throughout the series, finishing with a combined total of 62 kills and 18 assists across all three maps.
Na’Vi Sweeps FaZe Clan Behind b1t’s Masterclass
The final and most anticipated matchup of the day saw Na’Vi dismantle FaZe Clan in a convincing 2-0 sweep. Once again, Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy was at the heart of Na’Vi’s success.
The opening map, Mirage, was a back-and-forth affair. Na’Vi grabbed an early lead but FaZe responded with five round wins of their own. However, Na’Vi regained control and secured a narrow 13-10 victory. B1t led the way with a well-rounded performance (19 kills, 6 assists).
The second map on Nuke went to overtime after another close battle. FaZe initially looked promising, taking the first three rounds. Na’Vi then responded with a dominant 7-3 run to end the half with a slight lead. The second half saw FaZe mount another comeback, even taking a 12-11 lead. However, Na’Vi refused to be denied. They won the final regulation round and dominated overtime with a 4-0 run to secure a thrilling 16-12 victory. B1t once again topped the scoreboard for Na’Vi with an impressive showing (27 kills, 18 headshots).
Semifinals Set: Familiar Faces Collide
With these victories, Na’Vi, VP, and MOUZ have secured at least a 4th place finish and a guaranteed $85,000 payday. Vitality, FaZe Clan, and FURIA Esports will have to settle for 5th-8th place and $40,000 in consolation prize money.
The stage is now set for the highly anticipated semifinals, which promise to be exciting clashes between familiar rivals. Here’s a look at the upcoming matchups:
- Virtus.pro vs. G2 Esports: This will be a rematch of the epic battle that unfolded during the group stages, where VP emerged victorious 2-0. G2 will be looking to avenge their defeat and secure a spot in the grand finals.
- Natus Vincere vs. MOUZ: This encounter pits two of the hottest teams in the tournament against each other. Both Na’Vi and MOUZ have been dominant throughout the competition, and this promises to be a close battle to determine who advances to the championship match.
The winner of each semifinal will progress to the grand finals, where a fierce fight for the coveted EWC 2024 CS2 championship title and the grand prize of $400,000 awaits. All eyes will be on Na’Vi’s b1t, who has been on a tear throughout the tournament, and whether he can continue his stellar performances and lead his team to victory.
Fans can expect an electrifying conclusion to the EWC 2024 CS2 competition as the remaining teams battle it out for glory. Be sure to tune in to the live streams to witness these high-stakes matchups and see which team emerges as the ultimate CS2 champion!
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