FaZe Clan secured a well-deserved victory and redeemed themselves from their Major runner-up status by clinching the championship title at IEM Chengdu.
This Intel Extreme Masters event, known for bringing top-tier Counter-Strike action to Asia ahead of the Shanghai Major, concluded on April 16th, with Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s squad triumphing over MOUZ in the grand final with a 2-0 scoreline.
The German organization secured a spot in the semifinals after topping Group A, while FaZe battled their way from the quarterfinals to lift the trophy.
Mixed Results for the Spanish-speaking Counter-Strike Scene
While FaZe Clan celebrated their victory, the IEM Chengdu did not yield favorable results for the Spanish-speaking Counter-Strike teams. 9z Team faced an early exit after initial defeats against G2 Esports and HEROIC. Additionally, Chinese teams such as Lynn Vision Gaming, TYLOO, and Steel Helmet failed to make an impact in the playoffs, disappointing local fans.
What makes it all worth it.#IEM pic.twitter.com/k2V8DXbnbZ
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) April 14, 2024
Frozen Executes the Law of the Ex in FaZe
Interestingly, the grand final of IEM Chengdu proved to be FaZe Clan’s easiest matchup throughout the playoffs. Despite MOUZ’s confidence after defeating G2 Esports in the semifinals, FaZe faced intense challenges in the quarterfinals and semifinals. However, in the final step toward claiming the trophy, FaZe Clan displayed exceptional resilience on Overpass.
FaZe Clan faced stiff competition on Overpass, initially leading with a strong performance on the Counter-Terrorist side. However, a series of consecutive rounds from MOUZ narrowed the gap, putting FaZe’s stars to the test. Fortunately for karrigan’s team, broky and frozen delivered standout performances, securing crucial rounds and ultimately the map victory.
Nuke: FaZe’s Fortress
With Nuke as FaZe Clan’s map pick, the odds were stacked in their favor. Leveraging karrigan’s tactical prowess and stellar individual performances, FaZe dominated the map, sealing the series with a decisive 2-0 victory.
While frozen shone brightly, broky’s consistent performance throughout the playoffs earned him the title of IEM Chengdu MVP, with an impressive rating of 1.23. With their first title of the year secured, FaZe Clan sets their sights on the upcoming ESL Pro League (EPL) season.
Playoffs Format and Results
The IEM Chengdu playoffs followed a straightforward single-elimination format, consisting of quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final. Each series was played as a best-of-three, mirroring the format of the tournament since the initial group stage matches. The playoff matchups unfolded as follows:
Quarterfinals
- Virtus.pro 0-2 G2 Esports (6-13 on Anubis, 10-13 on Overpass)
- Team Liquid 1-2 FaZe Clan (13-16 on Nuke, 13-11 on Anubis, 10-13 on Mirage)
Semifinals
- MOUZ 2-1 G2 Esports (13-8 on Nuke, 7-13 on Ancient, 13-10 on Overpass)
- Astralis 1-2 FaZe Clan (10-13 on Nuke, 13-5 on Ancient, 7-13 on Inferno)
Grand Final
- MOUZ 0-2 FaZe Clan (10-13 on Overpass, 6-13 on Nuke)
The #IEM Chengdu 2024 final standings! 📃
Check out the carousel below to see where all 16 teams in the tournament placed 👇
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) April 14, 2024
Conclusion
The triumph of FaZe Clan at IEM Chengdu 2024 not only solidifies their position as a dominant force in the competitive Counter-Strike scene but also marks a significant milestone in their journey toward redemption after their Major setback.
With stellar performances from players like broky and frozen, FaZe Clan showcased resilience, adaptability, and exceptional teamwork throughout the tournament.
As they set their sights on the ESL Pro League and beyond, the victory serves as a testament to their unwavering determination and unwavering pursuit of excellence in the world of esports.