The IEM Rio 2024 Group Stage has been quite dramatic and full of upsets and great games. Now, after three days of the best Counter-Strike, the Playoff bracket is defined, and two teams have already earned their places in the Semi-Finals.
FURIA and Heroic Shock the Scene as Semi-Finalists
FURIA is showing that playing at home can be a game changer. Leading Group A, they have marched to the Semi-Finals with ease after beating FaZe, MOUZ, and NAVI. It has been a clinic in terms of form and quality, especially when playing against the best teams. Now, with the support of the passionate Brazilian audience, FURIA is ready to carry the momentum to the next level. You can expect Rio de Janeiro to explode when they are on stage.
On the other hand, Heroic’s journey to the Semi-Finals was just as surprising. This result would have been hard to foresee, especially given their current run of performances. Our IEM Rio 2024 Power Rankings didn’t have Heroic this high, but they’ve silenced the doubters in style. Heroic dominated the competition with clean sweeps over G2, Astralis, and Vitality, and they didn’t lose a single map on their rise to the top. Now the question remains: can they sustain the magic and secure a place in the Grand Final?
Quarter-Finals Stacked to Provide High-Octane Baseball
FURIA and Heroic are already waiting in the Semi-Finals, but the Quarter-Finals will feature a combination of giants and underdogs.
On one side, we have a clash between Vitality and MOUZ. The two teams started IEM Rio 2024 on a high note, but MOUZ had to struggle through the Lower Bracket round after a shaky start. They have been able to bounce back, unlike some of their previous tournament performances, and now they want to continue the streak. Vitality, on the other hand, had a smooth sailing through the Group Stage and will be eager to bring that form into the next stage.
On the other side, NAVI will play against Virtus.pro in one of the most expected matches. NAVI has been very consistent and has made it to the Grand Finals five times before this event. Even though they failed to qualify for the Semi-Final, it would be unwise to rule them out of another strong performance. The team Virtus.pro, who have been performing poorly recently, showed some of their potential in Lower Bracket. The two teams will be eager to show that they deserve to be in the final stage of the competition.
G2 and Astralis Early Exits
In a rather surprising fashion, G2, the champions of the BLAST Premier Fall Finals 2024, were eliminated from IEM Rio 2024 in the last place. It is one that puzzles the fans and analysts alike. Something went horribly wrong for G2 here, whether it was fatigue, jet lag, or just an off day at the tournament. NiKo, for example, had his worst game of his life, and it is not very good with the Major RMR coming up. G2 will have to step up their game quickly if they are to have a good standing in the next tournament.
Astralis was not much better, being eliminated from IEM Rio 2024 with only two victories. After beginning the event with a win against Eternal Fire, they were eliminated after losses to Heroic and Virtus.pro. This new version of Astralis, which is led by cadiaN, is still a work in progress, and they will have to get their act together soon. As this legendary organization is expected to perform, failing to achieve the Major RMR is something they cannot afford.
Want to bet on CS 2? Check out our extensive ranking of the best betting platforms. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to the scene, our list will guide you to the most rewarding sites. Start your CS 2 betting journey with confidence!
Hey!
Ask AI