Liquid dismantle NiP to set up EG clash for playoff spot in Arlington

Liquid secured the second winners' match spot of Group A after a 16-4 rout of Ninjas in Pyjamas on Mirage.

Liquid sprung back into action in Arlington after nearly a month-long break from LAN action, taking on an Ninjas in Pyjamas side looking to redeem themselves after falling short of qualification for the ESL Pro League Season 10 Finals. The two sides squared off on Mirage in looks to secure a spot in the winners' match against Evil Geniuses later on Thursday.

Nick "⁠nitr0⁠" Cannella's side kicked off their defensive performance with a successful pistol round, later shutting down a Krieg buy from Ninjas in Pyjamas and easing towards a four-round lead, highlighted by an AWP triple kill from Jake "⁠Stewie2K⁠" Yip. After conceding an additional two, the Swedes opted for a timeout to discuss their next steps, yielding the squad their first round at 1-7.

Jonas "⁠Lekr0⁠" Olofsson's side developed some footing off the back of that success, simultaneously eating into the developed finances of the CTs and bridging the score disparity. Liquid prevented affairs from getting out of hand, assuming control of the concluding four rounds to produce a strong 11-4 CT half.

A successful B split from Liquid worsened the Swedes' predicament, and failure to fend off the offense on their first full buy spelled disaster for Ninjas in Pyjamas. Despite inching close to converting a pistol buy, the Swedes could not keep Liquid from running away with the game and now find themselves fighting for their tournament lives against AVANGAR in the lower bracket.