In a stunning outcome, heavy favorites Cloud9 won’t be current at Los Angeles’ VALORANT Champions match in September after taking place to Leviatán 3-2 within the loser bracket. The LATAM workforce is the second within the historical past of franchised VALORANT to reverse sweep an opponent, coming from two matches right down to e-book a remaining assembly with KRÜ Esports.
It’s a match C9 wasn’t even anticipated to play. Coming into the VALORANT Champions Tour Americas Final Probability Qualifiers decrease remaining, C9 already suffered an upset loss by the hands of KRÜ Esports. Out to show the loss was a one-off, C9 started robust with a swift two-map lead. With their ticket to a rematch in opposition to KRÜ in sight and all however confirmed, the quantity two-seeded C9 started to crumble and face their demons as soon as extra.
Leviatán’s comeback started on Break up, a map that confirmed the LATAM workforce’s resilience. After taking place 4-0 within the first half of the do-or-die map, Leviatán fought to tie it at half-time 6-6. The second half began with Roberto “Mazino” Bugueño stomping opponents along with his signature Astra, holding off a fast-finishing C9 to win the map 13-11.
Haven was subsequent, with C9 attempting their finest to complete the job with a robust attacking half, securing a 9-3 lead. However Leviatán weren’t going away, opening their very own assault half with eight straight rounds. C9 would solely handle one spherical on protection as their LATAM opponents blew previous C9 13-10 due to a 17-kill effort from Shyy. Immediately, now 2-2, C9’s curse appeared all too actual.
The North American outfit solely had yet one more alternative to finish the sequence. Bind was the decider, and because of a pistol win and a few clear gun rounds from Mazino, a 7-5 lead proved sufficient. In the long run, Mazino delivered the killing blow, pushing right into a Viper’s Pit and getting two essential kills to stop a post-plant protection from C9. The NA representatives have been carried out for after that, dropping the match-deciding spherical as Leviatán broke out the brooms.
The Leviatán workforce was simply as stunned because the followers within the stands that they managed to do one thing just one workforce had carried out earlier than in 2023. They nonetheless have to win yet one more for the Champions spot, nevertheless it’s inside attain, with a assured qualification for a LATAM workforce.
“It’s a dream if we will get [that Champions spot],” Agustin “Nozwerr” Ibarra mentioned on stage after the win, including that irrespective of the outcome, the workforce would maintain their heads excessive figuring out no less than one Latin American workforce was assured to attend the most important match.
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Vicente “Tacolilla” Compagnon spoke to the analyst’s desk in regards to the win, unable to explain what had occurred. “It’s so good, inspiring,” he summed up. “It’s a loopy feeling since you’re so near dropping every part within the yr, the yr can be over. The one factor we considered is enjoying spherical by spherical, ignoring the highest of the display. If we lose, let’s lose with pleasure.”
For a participant like Tacolilla, his inconsistency over 2023 was significantly notable. Ranked as one of many lowest duelists within the area, Tacolilla has lit the VCT LCQ on fireplace, and his type since coming into the decrease bracket is a giant step up. For that, he thanked his psychologist.
“I talked to my psychologist about my nervousness and it could possibly simply snowball in matches,” Tacolilla mentioned. “It may possibly result in a psychological breakdown, however I additionally know I’m participant, and my teammates belief me. They offer me the arrogance to play like I play in scrims.”
Leviatán will face KRÜ Esports for the ultimate Americas spot at VCT Champions 2023 on July 23.
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