Having opened the series with a loss, the Falcons have made a comeback to book their playoff berth in IEM Melbourne, where they will face Vitality. NiKo and m0NESY shined for Falcons as the final two maps saw complete domination from the star duo to send NAVI to the lower bracket.
Veto
- Falcons removed Anubis
- Natus Vincere removed Nuke
- Falcons picked Inferno
- Natus Vincere picked Mirage
- Falcons removed Ancient
- Natus Vincere removed Train
- Dust2 was left over
Map 1: Inferno; Pick: Falcons; Winner: NAVI
Falcons started strong on Inferno, prompting NAVI to go 7-1 behind at one point before the CIS squad shifted the momentum and ended up with 4 more rounds by the end of the first half. As Falcons continued to lose rounds on their offence, NAVI made sure Falcons could barely manage a plant. A disastrous T side from the Falcons saw them lose their own map pick of Inferno to a stellar performance by b1t, who inspired the comeback for his team.
Map 2: Mirage; Pick: NAVI; Winner: Falcons
Another disastrous start kicked off Mirage for the Falcons. Going 9-3 down in the first half, the map looked to be a wash for the Falcons, but it was the T side where the stars aligned for them as little by little, the Falcons started winning rounds and thus cutting the lead. NAVI’s defense miraculously could not stop the Falcons winning a series of rounds as a chart-topping performance from m0NESY saw them take the series to a third map. Starting from 9-3 down, the Falcons’ comeback inspired a 13-11 win as they walked into Dust 2 with full confidence.
Map 3: Dust 2; Pick: Decider; Winner: Falcons
Falcons carried the momentum from Mirage to Dust 2 as NAVI failed to deliver any promising rounds early into the map, as it took the final few rounds of the half, which saw them put together 3 rounds before switching sides. NAVI lost a close pistol round, thus giving Falcons the upper hand right from the start, which they capitalized on by winning all the remaining rounds to put Falcons in the playoffs.
Incredible show of resilience for the Falcons as the comeback they mounted started from the rock bottom. As for NAVI, the roster looks to be falling apart, given that this roster is only a shadow of the team that won the Major in 2024. NAVI will continue their journey in Melbourne from the lower bracket, and unless they manage to win it, the roster will head out without reaching the playoffs.