Cloud9 secure comeback win vs. FURIA to enter 2-2 pool

Cloud9 live to fight another day in Katowice after defeating FURIA 2-1 in the fourth round of the New Challengers Stage.

The all-Americas showdown began on Cloud9's map pick, Mirage, which FURIA had played three times before this tournament. The gamble quickly backfired as the North American side struggled to break through the water-tight Brazilian defence and kept losing all aim duels, getting on the board for the first time only nine rounds into the game thanks to a trio of kills by Timothy "⁠autimatic⁠" Ta.

FURIA were completely unfazed by that round, though, and remained as focused as before. They won the remaining rounds of the half and rubbed salt into Cloud9's wounds by taking the following pistol round with a fast B execute. With their economy completely destroyed, the North American side were unable to prevent defeat, a nightmare performance, both collectively and individually, with none of their players ending the game with double digits.

The Brazilians were flying high after that convincing victory, but they were brought back to reality on Inferno. It was like watching a repeat of the first game, but with Cloud9 in control - just another sign of how frustrating the AUG-oriented meta has become. The first half ended with another lopsided 14-1 scoreline, with autimatic sitting at the top of the scoreboard with 23 frags, one more than FURIA's players combined.

After switching to the Terrorist side, Cloud9 piled more misery on their opponents with a successful apartments rush before putting the game to bed to equalise this strange series at 1-1.

It all came down to Cache, which began with a convincing CT pistol from Cloud9. After buying up in the third round, FURIA put together a string of rounds, eventually securing the lead off the back of a 1v3 clutch by Kaike "⁠KSCERATO⁠" Cerato.

FURIA rode that momentum to a 6-2 lead before Cloud9 put their foot down to halt the Brazilians' momentum. The North Americans were, however, unable to reclaim the lead as KSCERATO pulled off another clutch, this time in a 1v2 situation. They still battled back, bringing the deficit to 7-8 - a moralising scoreline considering how T-sided the map had been at this event.

Cloud9 got off to a flying start as Terrorists, winning six rounds straight to put FURIA under an immense amount of pressure. The Brazilians still attempted a response, but C9 quickly regained control and locked down the map at 16-10 after reaching match point with a massive 1v3 clutch by Jordan "⁠Zellsis⁠" Montemurro.