FaZe clawed their way through the 2-2 bracket after a stressful series that tested their composure as much as their mechanics. In the post match interview broky explained that the team “felt pressure” once a single lost round flipped the momentum and put them in a difficult spot.
“I guess the team felt pressure. It’s very hard when you lose a stupid round and it goes the other way and you have your backs against the wall.”
After winning their own map pick of Inferno, FaZe looked poised to close the series in two, but Fluxo fought back and took Nuke 13-7.
“We started good on Inferno and went 1-0 and then suddenly we started playing bad,” broky said.
FaZe did not collapse and won the pistol on the decider Mirage, but the map quickly spiraled out of control as Fluxo built a 10-4 lead. FaZe then delivered one of their strongest CT halves of the event, winning nine rounds in a row to complete the comeback and qualify for Stage 2 with a 13-10 win.
“It is a very good feeling going to Stage 2 and also a huge relief, since we start from zero.”
Heading into the next stage FaZe know the level must rise as stronger teams await, although Broky insists the roster is ready for anyone.
“I do not think it matters what team we play. Lower tier or higher tier we can always show up and play good Counter Strike.”
Map 1: Inferno (FaZe’s pick)
FaZe start strong with a clean pistol round and punish Fluxo’s force buy for an early 2-0 lead. They add a third before Fluxo get on the board with a well executed B retake. A Broky clutch puts FaZe ahead 4-1, but Fluxo respond with three solid rounds to tie the game at 4-4. Once FaZe have rifles again they regain control with a clean A take followed by a sharp B hit for 6-4. Another smart call gives them a free B site and an 8-4 half after a confident T side.
Fluxo begin the second half with a clutch from arT for their fifth and sixth rounds. FaZe answer with a strange but successful five MP9 buy that rebuilds their lead at 9-6. A clean B retake brings FaZe to double digits. Twistzz then takes over with three strong rounds that push FaZe to match point at 12-6. Fluxo look tilted and collapse to a banana rush, losing Inferno 13-6.
Map 2: Nuke (Fluxo’s pick)
Fluxo claim the T pistol and the anti force for a quick 2-0. They also take the first gun round to reach 4 0 before FaZe show signs of life with two B retakes to make it 4-2. Frozen wins a big 1v2 on B to bring FaZe within one, but Fluxo punish the next round to stay ahead 5 3. The teams trade rounds until the half ends 7-5 for Fluxo, with frozen closing the half on a clean 4k.
FaZe take the pistol and the follow up to tie the score 7-7, but Fluxo win the first CT gun round and reset FaZe to retake the lead 8-7. Two more strong rounds push Fluxo ahead 10-7 and the Brazilians find their rhythm. Five consecutive rounds give Fluxo match point as FaZe struggle to build a meaningful T side. Fluxo close Nuke 13-7 and push the series to a decider.
Map 3: Mirage
A late defuse attempt from Kye nearly wins the pistol for Fluxo, but FaZe survive and go up 1-0. Fluxo’s force falls flat and FaZe take their second, but a saved Galil and pistols swing the third round for Fluxo who reduce the gap to 2-1. Fluxo convert their own force, tie the game, and push ahead 4-2 after a clean clutch from zevy. Twistzz answers with two early picks to give FaZe their third, but Fluxo shut down FaZe’s B hit twice to go up 6-3. FaZe respond by rushing B and winning straight aim duels to reach 6-4, but Fluxo secured the final two rounds for an 8-4 half.
Fluxo win another pistol through arT and reach 10-4 as FaZe save. Karrigan answers with a triple kill to make it 10-5 and FaZe convert the next round for 10-6. Momentum fully shifts as FaZe put together three clean T rounds to reach 10-9. A chaotic window fight ends with Fluxo losing all five players while chasing Twistzz which ties the game at 10-10. FaZe continue their streak with a seventh round in a row to take the lead for the first time since 2-1. Fluxo’s half buy gives them nothing and FaZe move to match point at 12-10.
Karrigan then delivers a huge 4k in a 2v4 post plant to complete the comeback. FaZe win Mirage 13-10 after a nine round streak, taking the series and moving past the 2-2 bracket.
