The Elimination Stage of the PW Shanghai Major 2024 is now well underway, with two days of action now over and done with. This CS2 event is already living up to the hype, the perfect ending to a rollercoaster 2024 for the scene.
But what has actually taken place on the server at the Major? Let’s take a look at the first two days of action from the PW Shanghai Major 2024 Elimination Stage!
NAVI and MOUZ in danger
Credit: Perfect World
The big story from the first two days of the PW Shanghai Major 2024 Elimination Stage is how defending champions NAVI already find themselves on the verge of elimination in the 1:2 bracket. Day one saw them narrowly lose to MIBR after an opening win over Liquid, although a 13:2 dismantling at the hands of Spirit has seen NAVI struggling to survive – only perfection will do from here on out. Individually, it was shocking, with b1t having statistically the worst map of his entire career.
NAVI aren’t the only team in real danger, though. They’re joined in the 1:2 bracket by MOUZ, another team you’d have as locks for the Playoffs. Meeting The MongolZ and FaZe is an unfortunate draw, but if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. So far, it has been a tough watch for the team, who now face a resilient 3DMAX squad for survival. We still fancy MOUZ for Playoffs, but nothing is guaranteed.
Vitality and The MongolZ make it to Playoffs
Credit: Perfect World
Vitality were able to secure their place in the Playoffs of the PW Shanghai Major 2024 by taking down MIBR with total ease. This was a 2:0 domination, reminding everyone why our Shanghai Power Rankings had them among the top teams at this event. Bizarrely, it feels like Vitality have barely had to get out of second gear so far. When the competition heats up in the next stage, that’s where we’ll really see how they’ll fare here. Still, Vitality have done a thoroughly professional job so far.
Vitality have been there and done it, though. The MongolZ are the real history makers here, becoming the first-ever Asian team to reach the Playoffs of a Major by taking down Heroic. And you know what? The way they’re playing, they can beat anyone. In a single-elimination bracket, that’s a scary thought. If you don’t think that The MongolZ can win the PW Shanghai Major 2024 now, then it’s time to rethink, regardless of whether they’re the CS2 betting favorites or not.
Wildcard and BIG first out from Elimination Stage
Credit: Perfect World
The Cinderella run is over for Wildcard, with the NA team crashing out in 0:3 fashion during the Elimination Stage (and potentially saving our Shanghai Major Pick’Ems in the process). They couldn’t do much more here, and it was great to see stanislaw doing his thing on the big stage once again. We suspect it won’t be the last time. Wildcard, we enjoyed watching you, but GamerLegion just had all the firepower they needed to survive at least another day.
Also leaving the PW Shanghai Major 2024 is BIG, who couldn’t take down paiN Gaming in a close 2:1 series. BIG had a tough run to the Elimination Stage, especially given the controversial mid-tournament rule change that ensured they had to play through the Opening Stage. They just ran out of steam here, but it’s still a decent result given their overall results in 2024. For BIG, it should be something to build off heading into next year.
Stacked 2:1 Bracket promises fireworks
Credit: Perfect World
If there’s one set of matches we’ve got our eyes on tomorrow, it’s the 2:1 bracket. The fixtures here are stacked, thanks to some underdogs getting a few early wins and favorites falling slightly short in the early stages. I mean, G2 vs. FaZe is the obvious banger. One team makes Playoffs, and the other has one final shot at making it through.
Then, you’ve got MIBR vs. Liquid. South America vs. North America, with one guaranteed a spot in the next round. For whoever makes it, it will represent a fantastic performance at this Major, given the expectations. Don’t miss this one.
Finally, there’s Spirit vs. Heroic. Spirit have looked rocky at times, but their dominant NAVI win has people thinking otherwise. For Heroic, being 2:0 after the opening day and then falling to the 2:2 bracket would be an extremely rough narrative, so they’ll be firing on all cylinders to make sure that doesn’t happen.