G2 Esports pulled off one of the biggest upsets of MSI 2026 today, defeating T1 3-1 in the tournament’s lower bracket and eliminating the defending world champions from contention.
The loss also brought an end to one of the most remarkable streaks in League of Legends history, as T1 finished outside the top four at an international event for the first time ever.
The LEC champions entered the series as underdogs against the Korean giants, who had a dominating start to the MSI 2026 play-ins. That T1 run survived roster changes, shifting metas, and multiple championship runs, but it finally came to an end on the MSI stage at Daejeon, South Korea.
The series began with a tense opening game that became the longest match of MSI 2026. After more than 45 minutes of back-and-forth action, G2 found the decisive late-game fight to secure the opener and steal the momentum. That confidence carried into Game 2, where G2 controlled the pace from start to finish. Their proactive map movements and decisive teamfighting earned them a convincing win and a 2-0 series lead, putting T1 on the brink of elimination.
Facing a tournament point, T1 finally came back strong in Game 3. The reigning world champions leaned on their trademark composure to keep the series alive and remind everyone why they have remained an international powerhouse for more than a decade.
But G2 closed the door in Game 4, especially with BrokenBlade’s iconic Kled pick in the top lane to counter Doran. Another marathon contest tested both teams’ nerves before G2 found the breakthrough in the late game, winning the deciding fights to complete the 3-1 upset and send T1 home in fifth place.
The result is one of the most significant wins in G2’s recent history. After years of falling short against the LCK powerhouse on the international stage, the European representatives finally earned the victory that had eluded them since 2019.
G2’s victory was equally historic for the organization. It marked the team’s first international best-of-five win over T1 since the unforgettable MSI 2019 semifinals, where G2 denied Faker another international final appearance before going on to lift their first, and only, MSI title.
For T1, the defeat marks unfamiliar territory. MSI 2026 is the first tournament to break that streak, and the team will have to find answers before going to the LCK season and then Worlds.
With this strong victory, G2 advances in the MSI 2026 lower bracket to play against their North American rivals LYON, as T1’s campaign comes to an unexpected end.
