G2 Esports eliminate T1, handing them fifth at MSI

G2 Esports eliminated T1 3-1 in Lower Bracket Round 2 of MSI 2026 on July 8 during the knockout stage in Korea. T1 finished fifth, the organisation’s lowest placement at an international event. The win was G2’s first series victory over T1 since 2019.

Game 1 ran longer than 40 minutes, with repeated gold swings before G2 won a decisive midlane fight, aced T1 and converted the advantage into the opener. Game 2 lasted just over 30 minutes, ending with G2 ahead 18-8 in kills.

T1 claimed Game 3, 27-18, with top laner BrokenBlade recording a solo kill in that match. Game 4 also went beyond 40 minutes as G2 sustained a prolonged siege of T1’s base. G2’s Kled disrupted T1’s attempts to stabilise, including cancelling a Galio ultimate to eliminate Faker at a key moment, and G2 closed the series 3-1.

Earlier in the Lower Bracket T1 survived a five-game Round 1 against BLG and later swept FURIA. G2 will face LYON next; LYON advanced after a 3-0 win over Team Secret Whales. The winner of G2 versus LYON will meet the survivor of the Upper Bracket Final between HLE and BLG to determine the Lower Bracket Final matchup.

Local fans in Korea applauded G2 during the post-series interview and some wore G2 colours in the arena. Analyst LS praised G2’s drafting and individual play, writing: “Super crazy credit to G2 for the gameplay and drafting. BrokenBlade’s counterpick work is probably the best by a western player in history.”