Natus Vincere became the second team to secure a spot in the playoffs of IEM Rio after a hard-fought victory over Liquid in a three-map series. This result stirred a wave of emotions among players and fans alike. The final map was particularly tense when NAVI, with difficulty, managed to close the game and secure their place in the next stage of the tournament.
This victory is especially important for NAVI, as Liquid has repeatedly shown their strength in the tournament. Closing the series after losing the first map demonstrates the team's resilience, and moments like players' emotional outbursts only add drama and tension to the proceedings.
Match Context
The match started on the Inferno map, where Liquid dominated throughout the game. The team led by Twistzz showcased aggressive play on the attacking side, allowing them to finish the first half with a comfortable 9-3 score. In the second half, Liquid left NAVI with no chances, concluding the map 13-4. This result marked the fifth consecutive setback for Natus Vincere on Inferno, highlighting their instability on this map as a clear issue.
Tense Finish on Ancient
Liquid, previously unbeaten on Ancient, faced serious challenges from the start, falling behind 1-8. However, they managed to narrow the gap slightly before switching sides, bringing the score to 4-8. NAVI quickly won the second pistol round and extended their lead to 11-5, but then began to struggle with closing the game. Liquid managed to equalize the score 11-11, but NAVI rallied and won the last two rounds, finishing the map 13-11 and securing their playoff spot.
Player Emotions and Future Plans
After the game, NAVI captain Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen admitted that the match was tough and emotional for his team. "We were a bit exhausted after the first half on Ancient," he noted. "I even told Valera [b1t] to pack up because we would settle things outside [laughs]. But despite the emotions, we managed to pull ourselves together and clinch the win."
Importance of Victory for NAVI
This match not only highlighted the skill and perseverance of Natus Vincere but also showed that the team can handle pressure in critical moments. The victory over Liquid was an important step towards the championship, especially against the backdrop of a challenging group stage and unsuccessful matches on Inferno.
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