G2 Esports eliminate T1, handing them worst international finish

G2 Esports eliminated T1 3-1 in Lower Bracket Round 2 at MSI 2026 in Korea on July 8. The win was G2’s first series victory over T1 since 2019 and leaves T1 in fifth place, their lowest finish at an international event.

The four-game series opened with a marathon Game 1 that ran beyond 40 minutes. Gold swung several times before G2 won a midlane fight, secured an ace and converted that advantage into the opener. Game 2 was one-sided: G2 built an 18-8 kill lead in just over 30 minutes to take a 2-0 match lead. T1 took Game 3, winning 27-18 to extend the series. Game 4 again passed the 40-minute mark as G2 maintained a prolonged siege on T1’s base and closed out the series.

Top-lane performance shaped the decider. G2’s top laner BrokenBlade on Kled extended fights, found unexpected kills and interrupted a Galio ultimate to secure a late kill on Faker. T1 secured objectives during the siege, including the Elder Dragon, and recorded several picks, but were unable to stop G2 from finishing the match. T1’s jungler Peyz fought to salvage late fights but could not prevent elimination.

T1 reached the Lower Bracket Round 2 after a narrow five-game opening match against BLG and a sweep of FURIA. The organisation previously won MSI in 2016 and 2017 and reached the final in 2022 and 2025; the fifth-place finish at MSI 2026 is the team’s lowest international placing in recent tournaments.

Local spectators in Korea reacted to G2’s win with applause, and some were seen wearing G2 colours during the post-series interview. G2 will face LYON next; LYON defeated Team Secret Whales 3-0 earlier in the day. The winner of G2 versus LYON will advance and await the outcome of the Upper Bracket Final between HLE and BLG to determine the Lower Bracket Final opponent.

Analyst LS wrote on social media: “Super crazy credit to @G2League for the gameplay and drafting throughout the series. @BrokenBlade legit utilises counterpick in such a beautiful way… Absolutely wild comeback Game 4.”

G2 advance into the tournament top four; T1 exit MSI 2026 in fifth place.