Following a heartbreaking loss, G2 has sailed through to the Finals of the lower bracket by cruising past 3DMAX with a 2-0 scoreline in IEM Rio 2026. A breezy first map followed, but total domination in the second saw G2 secure a convincing win over the French side.
VETO
- 3DMAX removed Mirage
- G2 removed Nuke
- 3DMAX picked Inferno
- G2 picked Dust2
- 3DMAX removed Overpass
- G2 removed Ancient
- Anubis was left over
Map 1: Inferno; Pick: 3DMAX; Winner: G2
G2 on the defense hit the board first with a pistol-round win, before the gun-round conversion enabled 3DMAX to take the lead. Following the slow start, G2 built up in the game by the end of the first half to secure a narrow 7-5 lead before switching sides. Winning the second pistol allowed G2 to cruise past 3DMAX as the French side failed to post anything more than a single round on the defense, leading to a quick close of the map with a 13-6 scoreline. With 14 kills to his name, G2’s academy gem tAk stood out as the most impactful player with a 1.64 IR, which gave his side an early lead in the series.
Map 2: Dust 2; Pick: G2; Winner: G2
As G2 secured a confident win, 3DMAX opened Dust2 with a pistol round win, only to lose the following round to G2’s force. As G2 got hold of the match, their offense outclassed 3DMAX with a fast-paced and well-organized offense that closed the first half with an 11-1 scoreline. As 3DMAX were drained of all hopes for a comeback, G2 winning the pistol closed the door for a competitive match as they secured the series with a 13-1 scoreline. SunPayus found his groove on the AWP, which led to a 21-kill masterclass, making the difference for G2 when it mattered.
3DMAX bowing out of IEM Rio after two losses in the group stage goes to show how their transition hasn’t been optimal. One can argue that the two losses came against the Falcons and G2, who are arguably among the top 5 teams in the world, but if this roster can really turn its fate around, then it is yet to be seen.
