HEROIC failed for the third consecutive time to reach the main stage of IEM Rio. In the tournament's semifinals, they were defeated by NAVI with a score of 1-2, losing their chance to compete for the title in one of the most anticipated matches.

HEROIC and NAVI have long been established among the top teams, and their semifinal clash drew special interest. The possibility of HEROIC reaching the finals in Rio for the third time in a row was particularly intriguing, but this time the Ukrainian team broke their winning streak in Brazil.

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Match Progress: Three Maps to NAVI's Victory

The match began on Ancient — a map chosen by NAVI. However, despite the efforts of jL and b1t, who scored 24 and 25 kills respectively, HEROIC secured victory on the first map with a confident score of 13-9.

The second map, Dust2, provided viewers with a tense spectacle. HEROIC played excellently on their attacking side, securing 9 rounds. However, NAVI did not give up without a fight: this time, w0nderful played a crucial role, helping the team push the map to overtime and eventually winning with a score of 16-14.

The decisive moment came on Mirage. It became clear that HEROIC had exhausted their strength: they lost the first half 4-8 and couldn't recover after the side switch, ending the game in a 6-13 defeat.

This loss was especially painful for HEROIC, as it was their first time in two years failing to reach the finals of IEM Rio. On the other hand, NAVI continues to dominate: the team hasn't missed the finals of a major tournament since IEM Dallas, and their consistency has once again been confirmed in Rio.

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The Importance of Victory for NAVI

This victory consolidates NAVI's status as one of the strongest teams on the global stage. Their participation in the IEM Rio finals emphasizes not only the current form of the team but also their ability to adapt to any challenges. Now all eyes will be on the final: can NAVI validate their reputation and claim another title?