FaZe outlast much-improved Liquid in Chengdu

Liquid finally showed glimpses of the quality their ambitious roster has always promised during their run in China, but FaZe are CS2's team to beat.

karrigan's talented roster had to cover for a poor individual performance by the Dane

FaZe have claimed a semi-final berth at IEM Chengdu with a 2-1 series victory over Liquid, taking wins on Nuke (16-13) and Mirage (13-10) either side of a loss on Anubis (11-13).

Whilst the series was a hard-fought battle, as evidenced by the close scorelines, it was also a streaky contest with both teams riding hot patches of play to get their round totals. Ultimately FaZe's superiority on Mirage was the deciding factor, they probably should have closed the map out sooner, but Liquid can take heart from the way they played.

Considering Liquid's underwhelming start to life with their new superteam, a run to the playoffs in Chengdu is a solid return. Mareks "⁠YEKINDAR⁠" Gaļinskis showed signs of his old self at points throughout the tournament whilst Russel "⁠Twistzz⁠" Van Dulken was a carry force during the group stage, although he dropped off in the quarter-finals.

FaZe meanwhile continued to do what they do best: find a way to win. It was not a vintage performance by any means for the European combine, Finn "⁠karrigan⁠" Andersen in particular struggled badly individually throughout this series, but they won the key clutches and came to play from the word go on the final map, ensuring they continue their excellent record in CS2.

Next up for FaZe is a semi-final matchup with Astralis, where the European squad will be hoping to avenge their convincing defeat by the Danes in the group stage.

Date Matches
IEM Chengdu 2024
13/04/2024
12:45
Match

This series kicked off on Nuke and FaZe went on a tear to start their T side. They racked up a 6-0 lead before Liquid could respond, and although Felipe "⁠skullz⁠" Medeiros produced a majestic 4k hold on Upper, he could not prevent his team slipping to a 3-9 deficit.

The script was flipped in the second half as Liquid started their own offense strong and stopped FaZe getting a grip on their economy, allowing Liquid to close the gap. Things got wild towards the end of regulation, with FaZe winning a 2v4 to get onto map point, only for a classic Casper "⁠cadiaN⁠" Møller miracle round to send the map to OT.

Unfortunately for Liquid, due to the OT money rules, FaZe were comfortable for cash on their CT side and thus much improved: this allowed the Europeans to close out a 16-13 win.

Anubis was similarly close, but this time it was Liquid who triumphed. FaZe struggled to produce a truly effective T side until a stunning David "⁠frozen⁠" Čerňanský 4k rescued what was looking to be a dire half, but Liquid's attempt on the offensive half of the map was far more accomplished. Powered by several cadiaN multi-kills Liquid abused FaZe's weak B-site hold, where karrigan and Håvard "⁠rain⁠" Nygaard visibly struggled, and ensured a three-map series.

Mirage was ultimately a relatively comfortable affair for FaZe, even if the score suggests it was close. FaZe started their T side at a blistering pace and racked up six rounds seemingly before Liquid had plugged in their keyboards, but a more combative approach in Middle allowed Liquid to get a handle on things and garner five CT rounds.

FaZe quickly raced out to map point after winning their CT pistol, and although some individual heroics from the likes of skullz and cadiaN kept them alive for a while, FaZe duly closed the map 13-10 to seal the series.

Matchpage
1
2
12th April 2024
13
Nuke
16
13
Anubis
11
10
Mirage
13
 Liquid K - D Swing ADR KAST Rating2.0
53 - 48 +0.17% 76.6 77.6% 1.15
55 - 54 +0.81% 72.4 76.3% 1.07
44 - 55 -0.61% 70.5 65.8% 0.99
40 - 52 -2.12% 64.7 72.4% 0.97
48 - 51 -1.11% 66.2 61.8% 0.93
 FaZe K - D Swing ADR KAST Rating2.0
66 - 41 +5.19% 84.9 80.3% 1.36
61 - 44 +2.90% 82.5 73.7% 1.22
48 - 54 -1.27% 75.1 73.7% 1.09
52 - 45 +0.85% 71.6 72.4% 1.08
29 - 58 -5.09% 50.4 56.6% 0.60
Brazil Felipe 'skullz' Medeiros
Felipe 'skullz' Medeiros
Age:
21
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.06
Maps played:
677
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.63
Norway Håvard 'rain' Nygaard
Håvard 'rain' Nygaard
Age:
29
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.02
Maps played:
1901
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.69
Slovakia David 'frozen' Čerňanský
David 'frozen' Čerňanský
Age:
21
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.13
Maps played:
1469
KPR:
0.76
DPR:
0.64
Canada Russel 'Twistzz' Van Dulken
Russel 'Twistzz' Van Dulken
Age:
24
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.11
Maps played:
1680
KPR:
0.73
DPR:
0.62
Latvia Mareks 'YEKINDAR' Gaļinskis
Mareks 'YEKINDAR' Gaļinskis
Age:
24
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.06
Maps played:
1351
KPR:
0.74
DPR:
0.70
Denmark Casper 'cadiaN' Møller
Casper 'cadiaN' Møller
Age:
28
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.04
Maps played:
1737
KPR:
0.69
DPR:
0.62
Denmark Finn 'karrigan' Andersen
Finn 'karrigan' Andersen
Age:
33
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.90
Maps played:
2310
KPR:
0.61
DPR:
0.69
#1
 | 
Australia jkass
Finn 'karrigan' Andersen 29 - 58 -29 50.4 0.60 This is crazy EDIT: K/DiaN needs to start finding impacts frags instead of baiting his teammates
2024-04-12 16:22
0
3 replies
I love Faze but this guy is just kringegan
2024-04-12 16:46
0
I saw cadiaN once in a McDonald’s and he was acting strange. Whenever someone came in, he’d go behind them. It was like he never wanted to go first. When all the people bought their lunches it was his turn since no one was left. He looked at me and said “I’d rather save my money for tomorrow” and he bhopped out through the window. Strange guy...
2024-04-12 17:42
0
#53
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Lithuania seneliz
he is IGL and they win there is problem ?
2024-04-12 19:20
0
much improved lol
2024-04-12 16:20
0
7 replies
from not qualifying to major, to beating G2, Heroic and almost beating Faze (on stage). I would definitely say they have improved a lot. And i hope we will see them perform in tier 1
2024-04-12 16:29
0
6 replies
idk man, not qualifying for the major was a mishap yes beating heroic? eh heroic are out of their lil honeymoon period anyways g2 on stage are a hit or miss + cadian almost always owns g2 and they didn't beat faze so that's that, it was more like faze's stars not shining enough in yhe second map not like liquid were better but all in all im happy for cadian, wanna see him shine fr
2024-04-12 16:31
0
5 replies
Honestly, this Liquid looks way better than how it was lol. Seems like Twistzz is carrying the team on his back
2024-04-12 16:40
0
#18
Faceit level 8 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
device | 
Denmark AnchorCS
Liquid looked horrible up until this tournament basically. Sure they are not a contender yet at all, but they were competitive against EU teams here, I would say that's much improved compared to what they've shown so far - probably not close to their potential/goals either but it's still improvement
2024-04-12 16:43
0
Nice close match is a nice close match. Quit being a negative Nancy. Let’s compare this to idk the Copenhagen major final “ThEy DiDnT BeAT PhAsE sO tHaTS ThAt” derp yeah that’s it man, don’t take any context into account
2024-04-12 21:10
0
2 replies
everything checks out :3
2024-04-12 21:27
0
1 reply
#77
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Canada h0tlamp
Name checks out. Little bro's brain isn't even fully developed yet.
2024-04-13 23:50
0
god, Twistzz and YEKINDAR straight up lost Liquid this series.
2024-04-12 16:21
0
5 replies
#25
 | 
Russia KopHuLLloH
+1
2024-04-12 16:57
0
#26
 | 
Russia Donkimuz
Why USA flags always hate on twistzz and yekindar
2024-04-12 17:11
0
1 reply
i dont hate :(
2024-04-13 05:10
0
#44
 | 
Belgium deftoy
OK but who was topfragging both games when they won?
2024-04-12 18:14
0
yeah :(
2024-04-12 18:59
0
karrigan still destroyed donk and zywoo
2024-04-12 16:20
0
ez 4 broky
2024-04-12 16:20
0
#7
 | 
Canada minibeech
karrigan, larger kill/death deficit that bottom 3 liquid fraggers combined.
2024-04-12 16:25
0
2 replies
#8
 | 
India G4bbaR
KEKW, just saw it
2024-04-12 16:27
0
still won.
2024-04-12 16:28
0
I blame 4:3 resolution.
2024-04-12 16:29
0
1 reply
#21
 | 
Australia jkass
Blame comediaN for baiting his teammates every round and playing for K/D
2024-04-12 16:44
0
Oof so many down bad people in this section, anyway, Liquid did well, competitive with the #1 World, it’s respectable.
2024-04-12 16:29
0
#13
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
go to EU while you can NAF.
2024-04-12 16:30
0
broky god
2024-04-12 16:33
0
19 replies
Except when it matters like in finals
2024-04-12 17:57
0
16 replies
Surely, enjoy this one then: hltv.org/matches/2354404/g2-vs-faze-iem-.. hltv.org/matches/2357152/natus-vincere-v.. hltv.org/matches/2356169/faze-vs-natus-v.. hltv.org/matches/2354989/ence-vs-faze-es.. hltv.org/matches/2360059/heroic-vs-faze-.. hltv.org/matches/2367609/faze-vs-virtusp.. hltv.org/matches/2367264/complexity-vs-f.. hltv.org/matches/2362245/cloud9-vs-faze-.. I love proving people wrong with facts. Every final they played that they won or were 2nd place with him having good or the best performance. ( He was fazes highest rated player in playoffs with quite difference from 2nd throughout 2022 and in 2023 behind ropz. )
2024-04-12 18:10
0
15 replies
W mate, fk this guy
2024-04-12 18:52
0
Was he AFK during the final at the Copenhagen Major or what? Woopsies !
2024-04-12 19:50
0
13 replies
1 example out of 10. Keep coping and crying
2024-04-12 22:36
0
12 replies
His recent form has been terrible, it’s a fact. So many whiffs at the major it was painful to watch.
2024-04-13 13:02
0
11 replies
Hes literally fazes highest rated player in the last 2 tournaments, are you crazy? LMAO Weak baits
2024-04-13 13:39
0
10 replies
Sure but not when it matters. He had a 0.99 rating in the last major final. It is like Niko, farms groups and chokes in finals.
2024-04-13 13:53
0
9 replies
You’re baiting, pretty boring
2024-04-13 17:23
0
Another one for you, enjoy the W and cry
2024-04-14 14:41
0
7 replies
GG for the MVP at a tier 2 tournament, surely means a lot.
2024-04-14 15:57
0
6 replies
Only thing you can do is cry while he wins.
2024-04-15 00:12
0
5 replies
It’s all good my friend, let’s see if he can carry out this form in more premium tournaments, and only then will I change my mind about him.
2024-04-15 09:52
0
4 replies
You will never change your mind because you hate him
2024-04-15 10:33
0
3 replies
I litteraly don’t give a shit about him tbh and I surely don’t hate him. Why would I? But you however seem to be quite passionate about him my spaniard friend.
2024-04-15 11:32
0
2 replies
I'm not spanish, I'm living in spain atm. And you do care, you've been saying the same in quite some threads.
2024-04-17 19:58
0
1 reply
I don’t care about that guy, but I care about your well being. Are you allright amigo?
2024-04-22 20:20
0
#79
 | 
Canada itGurt
Imagine missing someone unobstructed planting the bomb while zoomed in on the AWP
2024-04-14 01:13
0
1 reply
Cry
2024-04-14 14:41
0
#17
 | 
Brazil MrLucas
Skullz really had a worst rating than yekindar and twistzz? I know, flag, but it really didn't feel like that watching the game and even looking at the numbers, even talking about impactful frags, just from the top of my mind I remember 2 rounds that he won pretty much single handed in mirage
2024-04-12 16:43
0
7 replies
it's mostly due to kast and adr.
2024-04-12 16:43
0
#36
NAF | 
Canada Chordal
he did have some good impact rounds that shows up on highlights, but he also had a lot of rounds where he died while accomplishing nothing
2024-04-12 18:03
0
2 replies
They all made mistakes and that cost them overtime but they are getting better and better, just need to keep playing these intense games and they'll keep improving.
2024-04-12 18:38
0
1 reply
#62
NAF | 
Canada Chordal
For sure
2024-04-12 22:44
0
i did not expext that either but he played pretty wel and it can only go up from here. twistzz had a bad game that can happen and yeki did show some improvement this tournement so i think they can get there.
2024-04-12 18:06
0
He had 2-3 impactful rounds, in others it's just pointless kills
2024-04-12 18:12
0
stats doesnt tell the full story , imo he did good this series
2024-04-14 00:15
0
#20
 | 
Australia Beard43
Well played Liquid, great to see the improvement! Happy to see FaZe go through, always strong on stage.
2024-04-12 16:44
0
4 replies
#23
rain | 
Europe Pukyy
+1
2024-04-12 16:55
0
#34
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
solo | 
World epixeltwin
+1 imagine being the only guy with a based chill take with a stoked attitude and not being a salty hater, we need more of these
2024-04-12 17:47
0
#37
NAF | 
Canada Chordal
+1
2024-04-12 18:03
0
+1
2024-04-12 18:47
0
#24
 | 
Russia KopHuLLloH
man yekindar's performance was a disgrace. if it wasn't for him, liquid would have had it 2-0. Still a good fight but jesus, poor fella misplayed pretty much every round where he weren't caught by timings etc. on the other hand - skullz showed lots and lots of promise!
2024-04-12 16:56
0
Kick Yekindar and get an average open fragger that can win at lest 50 percent of duels.
2024-04-12 17:11
0
#28
 | 
Brazil 1930
yekindar played like he was drunk :(
2024-04-12 17:25
0
Bring on Kacerato in place of yekindar and let the brazilians and canadians cook under chef cadian
2024-04-12 17:25
0
5 replies
#39
NAF | 
Canada Chordal
nah, kscerato chose to stay with furia and rot away his prime for longer
2024-04-12 18:04
0
1 reply
That's too bad. I feel like TL could really do some damage with someone like Kscerato
2024-04-12 18:34
0
He was actually offered, too big of a homer tho
2024-04-12 18:13
0
#51
 | 
Brazil MrLucas
I think they would end up with too many passive players, Insani, on the other hand, would be pretty interesting although his buyout is probably stupidly high too
2024-04-12 18:55
0
#67
 | 
United States caliprep
Lmao chef Chadian. You cannot deny his energy. He’s always willing to bring it
2024-04-13 01:58
0
Ropz great support player
2024-04-12 17:31
0
Yekindar is another pro player having hard time with cs2
2024-04-12 17:36
0
If Faze lose again in the final I am going to lmao
2024-04-12 18:04
0
tbh frozen and broky carry this washed team so hard
2024-04-12 18:27
0
#49
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
France docking
people hate on karrigan and yet he's about to lead his team to a 9th grand final in a row. This is no small achievement, especially in such a competitive area. His poor individual peromance will start to matter when Faze starts losing.
2024-04-12 18:53
0
5 replies
His IGL skill is the only reason why he still have a slot on faze
2024-04-12 19:47
0
4 replies
#57
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
France docking
Like every IGL
2024-04-12 20:48
0
cadian was TL's top fragger but karrigan's calling over all 3 maps is clearly a tier above. This was a 2-0 if ropz and rain didnt troll. All he needs is 4 shooters, and he will take you to the promised land. Especially in the major, he needed these 4 to activate, he fragged enough for 2 maps waiting for the other 4 to wake up, BUT they never did. Thus, got rolled on the final map.
2024-04-13 08:39
0
2 replies
yea karrigan need 4 super star carry him so he can use his big brain ( but silver aim )
2024-04-13 09:40
0
1 reply
dude, he doesnt need super star carry. just players to trade back and entry. rewatch the major, especially the first 2 maps. the other 4 couldnt shoot back at all. They couldnt keep up with the pace, only karrigan and broky were matching it.
2024-04-13 12:02
0
Great to see Cadian playing much better than he did earlier in the year.
2024-04-12 20:12
0
1 reply
#66
 | 
United States caliprep
Most definitely he was landing some insane flick shots on nuke.
2024-04-13 01:58
0
"much-improved" LOL They played 5v4 for the first two map and barely won the second map. FaZe threw so many rounds on Mirage and they still couldn't win. Zero team cohersion. Twistzz and Skullz were usless. Yedinkar lost all of his flair from VP time. Cadian did nothing but called excute-A on Mirage. I don't see any improvement whatsover vs a lackluster FaZe.
2024-04-12 22:54
0
Nice
2024-04-13 00:02
0
#65
 | 
United States caliprep
NT liquid we’re proud of you
2024-04-13 01:57
0
#70
 | 
Malaysia Rich1eG0h
Not a reunion Twistzz was hoping for.
2024-04-13 08:56
0
i like that all of faze hugged twistzz ( or vise versa - twistzz hugged all of faze) after the game. couldnt see any of the bad blood that are rumored. twistzz had a valid point in leaving, pursuing what he thinks is right.
2024-04-14 10:44
0
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