After an exciting Day One of action, it’s already time for another day of Worlds Play-in action.
We had a great Day One of Worlds 2021. With teams already starting to show great form, Day Two was always going to be full of action. With just four spots available in the Group Stage and just two more days of Play-ins Group Stage to go, everything was to play for.
PEACE vs Hanwha Life Esports
HLE was the ones able to pick up the First Blood, after they came close on the bottom side, it was a mid lane 1v1 that saw Chovy secure the kill. With just six minutes on the clock, HLE moved to over 1k ahead of PCE after the First Blood and a 24 CS lead on the bottom side. PCE was able to capitalize on a misplay from Vsta after he dove under the PCE turret. Sadly for PCE, Willer was able to make it to the bottom side and turn the fight for his team. Picking up two kills, and moving HLE to 2k ahead.
With the game on fast-forward, HLE found themselves 5k ahead by the 13-minute mark. PCE tried to claw back on the top side, picking up a kill, but traded back two as they slipped further behind. By the 18-minute mark, it looked like it was already over for PCE. A 5v5 fight broke out in the mid lane, but PCE couldn’t even manage a kill. With Baron Buff already secured, HLE moved to 10k ahead as the game looked over.
The second Baron spawned onto the map, and this time PCE was able to do something about it. Taking down two members of HLE, however, Morgan was able to 1v1 Vizicsacsi on the bot side, meaning PCE was unable to take Baron. PCE forced the Baron play, but with a lack of damage, HLE was able to come in and clean up. With just one member lost, HLE secured a Baron as PCE crumbled. PCE tried to make one last defense, but they couldn’t stop HLE. HLE moved on to 2-1, while PCE struggled at 0-2.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: PCE-HLE
- Time: 28:20
- Kills: 7-21
- Turrets: 1-10
- Gold: 45.2k – 60.5k
- Dragons: 0-4
- Barons: 0-1
RED Canids vs LNG Esports
While the start of the game was quiet, it all exploded at the seven-minute mark. RED picked up a mid-lane First Blood, while another kill was secured in the top side. LNG got on the board with a kill from Tarzan, just before the drake was secured by RED, who held a 500g lead after losing another kill in the top side. But RED’s great early start was falling apart by the 17-minute mark. LNG moved to just shy of 1k ahead as they started to turn the screw.
The LNG snowball continued to grow, and right when Baron spawned, LNG caught out two members of RED. While Baron wasn’t attempted, LNG was able to gain massive vision control around the objective. RED refused to be brushed aside, despite being 5k behind they managed to sneak away a Drake, delaying any possible Elder victory for LNG. With RED losing a member, LNG secured an easy Baron buff as they looked to close out their third win.
With Baron secured, LNG walked into the RED base. The Inhibitor fell with ease, and despite RED trying their best, LNG swept them aside. The win moved LNG to 3-0, while RED went to 1-1. With the win, LNG moved a step closer to the Group Stage, while RED still had some work to do.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: RED-LNG
- Time: 29:10
- Kills: 5-15
- Turrets: 2-10
- Gold: 45.7k – 56.5k
- Dragons: 2-1
- Barons: 0-1
Infinity Esports vs PEACE
Starting off on the right foot, First Blood went over to PCE as they looked to secure a massive win in the battle of the 0-2 sides. INF was able to get themselves on the board moments later, though PCE held a slight lead. Then, a huge 4v4 fight kicked off at the Rift Herald, and despite PCE starting the fight, INF were the ones that secured it. Three members of PCE died as well, putting INF into a 1k lead.
By the 15-minute mark, the game had once again leveled off. With the gold lead even, the tension was clear. PCE would once again retain the lead when they won a 3v2 in the top side, shutting down the four-kill Gnar in the process and securing a 1.5k lead. With Baron up, and despite a 2k deficit, it’s INF who would win the Baron spawn fight, taking down one member of PCE before pulling off the Baron. They’d find another in the aftermath, but Baron remained on the map.
After that, there was another 5v5 in the mid lane, and it was INF that took the early victory, picking up two massive kills. With Violet joining the fight, however, PCE turned it around to take it to a 2v1. Buggax, who had 10 kills prior to the fight, was able to clean up, as INF came out on top. PCE was able to pick up the next Baron and secured a huge double kill right after. INF desperately tried to defend and managed to hold off the initial attack. But all PCE had to do was reset before taking down the INF base. PCE kept their Worlds dreams alive, while INF was now in dire straits.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: INF-PCE
- Time: 34:15
- Kills: 17-21
- Turrets: 3-8
- Gold: 57.7k – 67.3k
- Dragons: 0-4
- Barons: 0-1
RED Canids vs Hanwha Life Esports
In this decisive game of the group, First Blood went over to RED, and while HLE traded back, RED went two-for-one in the fight to gain a massive early lead. HLE was able to get a grip onto the game prior to the Rift Herald, and despite RED’s best efforts, the gold lead moved further over to the side of HLE after they secured the Rift Herald. The bot lane was the next action point, with HLE getting the early lead in the fight before RED clapped back with two of their own. HLE, however, regrouped and took down another two members of RED as they moved to 4k ahead.
Things finally start to calm down by the 16-minute mark, as both teams looked to gain vision with the Baron spawning soon. HLE had a 4k lead still at that point, though RED closed the gap slightly with the Rift Herald. A fight eventually broke out around the drake pit, and despite their lead, HLE wasn’t able to take it. Both teams traded two-for-two, however, HLE was able to pick up the third drake.
With Baron the next objective, HLE pulled the trigger on a play and forced RED into a fight. RED did their best but dropped three members without anyone from HLE falling in return. Afterward, HLE secured the Baron and Infernal Soul as RED looked to be on the ropes. RED tried to defend, but HLE just had too much power. They sweep aside RED and moved onto 3-1 as they looked to secure the second-place spot.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: RED-HLE
- Time: 27:16
- Kills: 10-21
- Turrets: 2-9
- Gold: 44.3k – 58.4k
- Dragons: 0-4
- Barons: 0-1
Beyond Gaming vs Cloud9
After a stunning performance yesterday, C9 was hungry to once again prove they’re a serious competitor, while BYG hoped to turn the tide in their favor. It was C9 who came out ahead first though, as a 2v2 in the top resulted in two kills for the NA side. A minute later, a skirmish broke out in the mid lane, where each team walked away with a kill. From here, it became a scrappy fight, with C9 jumping on every engage they could find, even if it didn’t always go their way.
Eventually, C9 did skirt out a lead with objectives though, taking a dragon and a Herald, which helped them take the First Tower bonus bottom later. With Fudge’s Malphite and Vulcan’s Leona, C9 continuously pushed the envelope into BYG, who more often than not were felled. It is crucial to note though that C9 did overextend a few times and gave over some kills. However, by 25 minutes, C9 was in a commanding position. So they rushed the Baron, securing it for free then killing two from BYG right after.
With this Baron, C9 quickly brought down the bottom Inhibitor and set themselves on Soul point. Keeping the pressure on the BYG base, C9 was able to once again claim a rather free Baron, and after killing Kino, the Infernal Soul too. Feeling the pressure, BYG decided to send two members to kill Perkz’s fed Sylas, but he ended up getting two kills in the 1v2, freeing up his team to dive into the base and finished BYG’s Nexus off.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: BYG-C9
- Time: 37:42
- Kills: 15-26
- Turrets: 3-11
- Gold: 64.6k-75.1k
- Dragons: 1-4
- Barons: 0-2
Galatasaray Esports vs DetonatioN FocusMe
With high expectations for both of these teams, a win here would be big in terms of standings and confidence. And it was DFM who walked away with a ton of confidence after this match. It did start off funny for DFM, as Steal ganked bottom but dove too far and gave First Blood to Zergsting, but Yutapon answered back to make it one-for-one. At five minutes, the action kicked off again in the bottom lane when both jungler ganked it, but a Teleport from Evi turned the tide. The resulting fight ended with three unanswered kills for DFM and a huge lead.
Once they had the lead, DFM never let go. They took a Rift Herald, Evi solo killed Crazy and the First Tower bonus went their way bottom. On top of this, they began dragon stacking and were able to control that objective well. Viewers knew it was doomed when at 13 and 14 minutes, both Zergsting and Alive were dove under the top lane tower and killed, then Steal stole away a Rift Herald from Mojito.
After all that, it was a clinic from DFM. They eventually Ace’d GS in a 22-minute jungle team fight, which allowed them to claim the Baron buff. Equipped with the Baron, all DFM had to do was catch out Mojito in his jungle and push bottom for the Inhibitor. After regrouping, they headed for Mountain Soul, which they also secured, then turned on the GS squad trying to contest. GS was completely destroyed and DFM rushed the base to finish off a very convincing win.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: GS-DFM
- Time: 27:48
- Kills: 2-17
- Turrets: 2-9
- Gold: 41.9k-53.9k
- Dragons: 0-4
- Barons: 0-1
Beyond Gaming vs Unicorns of Love
Beyond Gaming started the match on a strong note by attending to their weak side bottom lane and executing a successful dive. They got the enemy ADC, however, Ahahacik was quick to respond and save his support from the dive, though Maoan lost his life to the tower. After that, UOL started the Rift Herald but BYG realized that quickly. With a good collapse, they got a pick again on the enemy ADC and stole the Rift from UOL to get a massive lead in the early game.
After that, Unicorns of Love secured the first dragon of the match but BYG kept pushing the lanes to maintain the pressure on the enemy. Just before the second dragon fight, Beyond Gaming turned another team fight in their favor and secured the dragon for themselves. Unicorns of Love, desperate to come into the match, tried to put up a few valiant team fights and got some kills for themselves. However, it was Doggo’s Ezreal that was the difference maker between the two teams tonight. He was an insane carry and carried BYG to a swift victory. With this match, Beyond Gaming received their first victory, while Unicorns of Love are struggling to stay afloat..
Quick Stats:
- Teams: BYG-UOL
- Time: 25:14
- Kills: 19-6
- Turrets: 9-1
- Gold: 51.0k-36.7k
- Dragons: 1-1
- Barons: 0-0
Cloud9 vs Galatasaray Esports
To wrap up the day, C9 looked to go undefeated, while GS wanted to display their true potential. But the potential that shone through was from C9 Blaber, who ran a train on the early game. He first ganked mid with Vulcan to get First Blood on Bolulu, then went bottom to help his team get three kills and finally ended up top to kill Crazy. Within the first seven minutes, C9 was off to a roaring lead.
However, C9 appeared a bit overconfident afterward, giving over a handful of kills and objectives to GS. They even went for a 4v5 team fight, which they lost three-for-two in kills, but apparently it was all fine and dandy. Because at 19 minutes, C9 mentally regrouped and came together to force a team fight in the mid lane, where they picked up three kills and a dragon in the wake. After that, Vulcan ganked Bolulu with Perkz in the side lane, but Perkz ended up dying because he forgot to use his Tryndamere ultimate, which was a funny moment for everyone.
Seeing an opportunity from Perkz being dead, GS desperately tried to do Baron. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the power to take it down, meaning it was free for C9 to take a few minutes later after they found a pick onto Zergsting. Upon securing Baron, C9 turned for the team fight and slaughtered all five from GS. Not even two minutes later, C9 had pushed to the GS base and dove right in to force one last fight. Once again, all five GS members fell. With that, C9 walked right in, smashed GS’ Nexus and kept an undefeated record.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: C9-GS
- Time: 27:54
- Kills: 22-9
- Turrets: 9-4
- Gold: 59.3k-46.8k
- Dragons: 2-2
- Barons: 1-0