The first round of the Esports World Cup playoffs captivated fans on Friday, July 11, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring thrilling matchups in the VALORANT tournament. Teams Paper Rex, Fnatic, Gen.G, and Team Heretics triumphed in the quarterfinals, securing their spots in the semifinals, which will begin this Saturday. The excitement will culminate on Sunday with the grand final and a third-place match between the semifinal losers.
In a highly anticipated match, Sentinels faced off against Paper Rex, fresh off their Masters Toronto victory just three weeks prior. However, Paper Rex showcased their impressive skills, decisively defeating Sentinels 2-0. On Icebox, the American team struggled against the dominant performance of Paper Rex. Although Sentinels’ star player, Marshall “NARR4TE,” put up a commendable effort, it wasn’t enough to halt PRX’s momentum. The team continued to dominate on Sunset, wrapping up the series with a commanding win.
Paper Rex will now advance to face Fnatic, who earned their place in the semifinals after a hard-fought victory over Karmine Corp. Fnatic’s Austin “crashies” Roberts led the charge, navigating a tense overtime on Sunset to clinch the first map 14-12. They followed that momentum in Ascent, controlling the match and securing their win to progress.
In another quarterfinal clash, Team Heretics overwhelmed BBL Esports, showcasing a remarkable performance from Mert “Wo0t” Alkan, who dazzled on Jett with 23 kills. The Turkish team struggled to respond, suffering a crushing defeat with scores of 13-3 on Ascent and 13-5 on Haven, despite a technical pause that only delayed the inevitable outcome.
Meanwhile, Gen.G emerged victorious over NRG, maintaining their unbeaten run. Led by Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom, Gen.G executed a strong defensive strategy, winning seven consecutive rounds on Sunset before finishing the map 7-5. Their similar dominance continued on Icebox, leading them into the semifinals against Team Heretics.
The semifinals promise to deliver more thrilling matches as these top-tier teams vie for a chance to compete for the championship. This event highlights not only the growing popularity of esports globally but also the increasing ability of diverse teams to compete at high levels, providing fans with an exhilarating experience and fostering international connections in the gaming community.