Imperial delivered their cleanest performance of the Major so far, knocking NRG out of the tournament in a decisive 2–0 sweep in the 2–2 bracket.
After starting the event with a strong 2–0 record, NRG collapsed in back-to-back series and never found their footing against the Brazilian roster.
Imperial controlled both maps from start to finish, powered by skullz, VINI and a confident CT side that repeatedly shut down NRG’s entry attempts.
Map 1 – Nuke (Imperial’s pick)
NRG win a clean pistol and stomp the pistols from Imperial to take a quick 2–0 lead. The Americans string together more strong rounds and go up 5–0 before Imperial win a 3v5 to get their first on the board at 5–1.
A solid A hold breaks Imperial’s economy, but they force and win another 3v5 behind a skullz 3k for 6–2. With NRG’s money broken, Imperial go on a streak and take three in succession to close the gap, then finish the half with five straight to tie it 6–6.
A ramp play from NRG falls flat as Imperial take the lead for the first time. NRG eco, and Imperial take their seventh in a row, but NRG’s rifles stop the bleeding and make it 8–7. Imperial are close to an eco of their own, and a single entry from Sonic ties the score 8–8.
Imperial respond with a flawless round to reclaim the lead. Three big rounds from VINI and a flat NRG attack push Imperial to 12–8 and match point. A clean 5–0 round closes the map 13–8 for the Brazilians.
Map 2 – Train (NRG’s pick)
Skullz opens the map with a quick 4k on Dual Berettas to give Imperial the CT pistol. Imperial convert without losing a player and reach 3–0 once rifles appear. The lead balloons to 5–0 as their CT side looks confident. A sixth falls their way as NRG run out of time.
Two more rounds follow, and NRG trail 8–0 before Sonic and Jeorge combine to finally put NRG on the board at 8–1. A 1v1 clutch from noway gives Imperial their tenth. NRG take the final round of the half but still face a huge 10–2 deficit.
Imperial rush A on pistol, but Jeorge shuts it down with a 4k to give NRG a spark of hope. NRG convert the follow up to make it 10–4. Their four SMGs then tear through Imperial for a third straight round.
Imperial’s saved guns and pistols break through on the B site for 11–5, and an over rotate from NRG hands them match point at 12–5. Imperial close it out 13–5 to qualify for the Major, while NRG fall from 2–0 to 2–3 and are eliminated.
