MIBR eliminate paiN from Astana

The Brazilian derby ended up with MIBR through to the deciders and paiN going home.

MIBR are through to the final day of play in the PGL Astana Swiss group stage after beating paiN 2-0 on Train (13-7) and Mirage (13-8).

Both maps followed a similar pattern, with paiN getting off to hot starts before floundering during the stretch, as MIBR's adaptations allowed them to get ahead and run away with the series.

On train it was a 6-0 start from paiN that put them in the driver's seat following a beautiful four-kill round by Lucas "⁠nqz⁠" Soares with the USP to kick things off, but MIBR dominated from there on out, winning 13 out of 14 rounds to close out their pick 13-7.

The start on Mirage saw another uptick from paiN, as they went 5-1, but as in the first map, MIBR's reads bore fruit and they turned the initial deficit into a 6-6 tie at the half as they set up for the attacking side.

Felipe "⁠insani⁠" Yuji came out big with three Glock kills in the second pistol round, but from there on out it was once again all MIBR, who won all but two rounds in the second half to keep their playoff hopes alive. The series was brought to a close with a forcebuy as three Tec kills by Breno "⁠brnz4n⁠" Poletto put the final nail in paiN's coffin.

This marks a second early exit for paiN in a row after bringing on Franco "⁠dgt⁠" Garcia, who missed the first two matches in Astana but has personally been playing well otherwise.

paiN has been showing that the growing pains are real after a 7-8th finish at BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 1 and now going out in 12-14th place at PGL Astana, where their sole victory came against HOTU with coach Henrique "⁠rikz⁠" Waku in the starting five.