An all-important game for both. A win for RGE was a must if they wanted to stay in Worlds. For FPX, a win would see them move ahead of C9, who had to beat DK. For C9, they needed a RGE victory if they wanted to keep the group close and force a three-way tiebreaker.
Rogue vs FunPlus Phoenix
FPX got out the blocks early, picking up a First Blood, though it’s only onto their support. But soon disaster struck on the bottom side of the map for RGE. They tried to do a three-man dive on Lwx and Crisp but it went completely wrong, as two RGE members dropped with just one kill in return. RGE finally did manage to get a kill without being punished, however, with Larssen losing out in the mid lane, his tower was assaulted by the Rift Herald to move FPX back into a slight lead.
With FPX claiming the first drake at the 12:30 mark, RGE forced a play onto the bot side, picking up two more kills as the gold lead remained even. By the time Baron had spawned on the map, RGE had moved to a 2.5k lead, with Baron and drakes now set to be the cause of the next engagement. It wasn’t long until RGE picked up another kill top side, however, RGE were caught out and had to retreat. It’s important to note that RGE were able to remove Nuguri’s Flash, hindering his aggression for the next fight. And that next fight happened on the Baron, and despite FPX being the ones to start the engagement, RGE came away ahead four-for-two in kills as they moved to a 3k gold lead.
Still anyone’s game
With Baron still unclaimed, Rogue pushed in the FPX base, as they made use of their now 6k gold lead. Next, there was a massive play in the mid lane where it looked like RGE got the engagement they needed. But it’s a two-for-three for RGE as both teams moved away to remove Baron vision. After that, a one-for-one at the Baron, as RGE threatened the FPX mid-lane. FPX were able to claim the Baron, killing a member of RGE on the back end of the play. As they chased them away, another member of RGE dropped after they overcommitted.
At the 37-minute mark, the game was up in the air, though FPX looked like the team that held the game’s fate in their hands. However, it was RGE who tried to rush the Baron, but FPX called their bluff and rushed the base instead. With RGE quickly returning to their base, the final fight went exactly how they needed it to. A flank from Inspired saw RGE Ace FPX, which allowed them to march into the FPX base. RGE just had enough time to win the game as three teams in Group A now sit on 2-4, with just one game left. FPX has now lost every game on the day, as Cloud9 looks to upset DK to qualify.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: RGE – FPX
- Time: 40:52
- Kills: 21-14
- Turrets: 10-5
- Gold: 75.5k – 69k
- Dragons: 3-2
- Barons: 0-1