BLG Advances to Quarterfinals with Close 2:1 Victory Over G2
In a thrilling best-of-3 series, LPL’s BLG narrowly defeated LEC’s G2 Esports 2-1 to secure a spot in the Worlds 2024 quarterfinals high-stakes matchup between the top seeds from each region came down to the wire, with BLG prevailing after a lengthy pause in the final game.
The highly anticipated clash between China’s BLG and Europe’s G2 Esports more than lived up to expectations, delivering incredible displays of skill from both teams. As the top seeds from the LPL and LEC respectively, this series would determine which elite squad advanced to the final eight.
Game 1 saw BLG’s jungler Xun and support ON step up in a major way, stymieing G2’s bot lane combo of Mikyx and Hans Sama. Xun’s clinical early game pathing on Poppy provided BLG the tempo advantage they needed, while ON roamed the map on Alistar, finding engages and paving the way for BLG’s fed carries. Unable to match BLG’s map pressure, G2 conceded the first game.
Down but not out, G2 revealed a surprise counter-strategy in Game 2. Drafting an explosive dive composition featuring Yasuo top and Renekton mid, G2 relentlessly pressured BLG’s backline. BrokenBlade in particular put on an absolute clinic on Yasuo, singlehandedly carrying teamfights with his impeccable mechanics. BLG had no answers for G2’s aggression, evening up the series 1-1.
It all came down to a climactic Game 3. Early on, a bug with Kalista’s Rend ability caused a prolonged pause, but officials eventually ruled that no unfair advantage was gained and the game continued. In the interim, G2’s solo laners bizarrely abandoned their lanes, gifting BLG a sizable gold lead and Dragon stack. Despite a valiant effort from G2 to claw their way back, a heroic Baron steal from BLG’s jungler Xun sealed the deal, booking BLG’s ticket to quarterfinals.
With this result, all four LPL representatives have advanced to the final eight, an unprecedented achievement for the region. BLG will look to continue their miracle run in the knockout stage. As for G2, while this loss undoubtedly stings, they can hold their heads high after a spectacular tournament that saw them take games off some of the world’s best teams. The future remains bright for this young European squad.