The Mid Season Invitational twenty twenty five began in Vancouver with all the unpredictability that fans have come to expect. The Play In Stage opened with two highly anticipated best of five series, featuring regional giants and underdog challengers all looking to secure a spot in the main event. G2 Esports and Bilibili Gaming emerged victorious, but the road to those wins could not have been more different. G2 had to survive a tense five game war with FURIA that exposed some real early tournament nerves. On the other hand, Bilibili Gaming made quick work of GAM Esports in a dominant three match sweep that reminded everyone why they were Worlds finalists just last year.
The first match of the day saw EMEA’s G2 Esports take on Latin America South’s FURIA. On paper, it looked like an easy opener for G2, but the Brazilian squad had other plans. FURIA stunned fans and analysts by taking game one in just twenty eight minutes. G2’s top laner BrokenBlade struggled on an unusual Warwick pick, while FURIA’s Guigo shone brightly on Aatrox, completely controlling the tempo of the top lane. It was the kind of result that immediately put G2 on the back foot and raised eyebrows about the team’s preparation.
G2 recovered in game two, returning to familiar picks and stronger synergy. BrokenBlade redeemed himself on Jax, and Caps found his rhythm on Corki, controlling late game fights with precision. Hans Sama’s Varus added reliable damage that allowed G2 to close the game with confidence. Game three almost became another upset after Guigo’s Sion pulled off an impressive quadra kill, but G2 managed to hold on and edge out a win, pushing themselves ahead in the series.
FURIA, however, was not ready to give up. Game four showed just how hungry this team was, as they punished G2’s overconfidence with smart map plays and sharp engages. Every mistake G2 made was capitalized on, and the series was tied up once again. But in game five, G2’s experience took over. Caps brought out Yone and dismantled FURIA’s composition with a flawless seven zero eight performance. Hans Sama’s Senna provided backup, and G2 closed the series in style, reminding fans that even when they stumble, they still know how to finish strong.
The second match of the day was less dramatic but equally impactful. Bilibili Gaming faced GAM Esports in a matchup that quickly turned one sided. BLG’s Bin delivered the kind of top lane performance fans were expecting. From Renekton to Ambessa, his champions bullied every skirmish. In game three, GAM failed to secure a single dragon or tower. Beichuan’s jungle control erased any hopes GAM had of contesting objectives, and Knight kept the mid lane locked down with consistent play and teamfight awareness. GAM’s early game plans were undone by superior macro play, and the result was a clean three to zero win for BLG that sent a clear warning to the rest of the bracket.
Now, G2 and BLG will meet in a match that decides who qualifies directly for the Bracket Stage. For G2, the question remains whether their near slip up was a fluke or a deeper issue in team dynamics. For BLG, the focus will be on maintaining their current form against a more seasoned international opponent. Meanwhile, FURIA and GAM will drop to the lower bracket where only one team will have the chance to continue their MSI campaign.
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