On the first day of IEM Rio 2024, the international Counter-Strike championship, Brazilian teams faced ups and downs. FURIA beat MOUZ and secured their qualification for the playoffs, while paiN Gaming and Imperial were eliminated after losses to FaZe Clan and Complexity, ending their participation in the competition on the first day.
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FURIA guarantees place in the playoffs with victory over MOUZ
The duel began on the Nuke map, where FURIA, who had chosen the battlefield, dominated the initial actions. They soon opened up a 5-0 lead, ending the first half with a tight 7-5 lead. When the sides changed, MOUZ tried to react, closing the gap to 9-8. However, Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo appeared in the decisive moments, leading FURIA to a 13-8 map victory.
The second match took place at Mirage, where Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato shone with an ace in the pistol round, helping the team to take a 3-1 lead. However, MOUZ quickly reorganized, took control of the match and won the map 13-5, tying the series.
Everything was decided on the last map, Dust 2. FURIA, once again, started strong and opened 5-0. Unlike the previous map, this time the Brazilian team gave their opponent no chance, closing the first half with a 9-3 advantage. Even with the defeat in the pistol round in the second half, FURIA did not slow down, winning four consecutive rounds and closing the score at 13-5, guaranteeing the 2-1 victory in the series and sealing their place in the playoffs.
With the victory, the Brazilian team became the first to guarantee its presence in the final phase of the tournament, solidifying its position as one of the favorites.
FaZe wins and eliminates paiN Gaming
After losing to FaZe Clan 2-1, paiN Gaming was the first Brazilian team to be eliminated in the competition. Under the command of Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt, the Brazilian team fought in a fierce series, but failed to secure victory in the three maps played.
The Brazilian team chose Dust2 as the first map in the series. However, they had difficulties from the beginning. The European team, led by Finn “karrigan” Andersen, dominated the first half, taking the match to a score of 10-2. Despite an attempt to react from paiN in the second half, FaZe Clan star Robin “ropz” Kool shone in the final moments and secured the 13-9 victory.
On Mirage, the map chosen by FaZe Clan, paiN started in a dominant manner, opening up a 6-1 lead on the CT side. However, the Europeans found gaps in bombsite A and managed to close the gap. In the second half, paiN seemed to control the game, but FaZe Clan sought extra time after preventing four map points. Even so, the Brazilian team remained firm and won 16 to 13.
The deciding map, Nuke, saw FaZe Clan take a 3-0 lead on the TR side. paiN reacted, turning the score to 6-3, but the Europeans managed to destabilize the Brazilian economy and tied the game at the end of the first half. In the second half, the Brazilian team had the chance to turn the game around, but lost a crucial economic round. FaZe Clan took advantage of the opportunity and closed the match 13-10, eliminating paiN from the competition.
Complexity eliminates Imperial
Imperial was eliminated after losing to North American Complexity 2-1. With the second consecutive defeat on the day, the team said goodbye to the tournament in the group stage.
The match, which started with a hotly contested map, Dust2, ended in victory for Complexity. Despite a good defensive start, Imperial was unable to maintain the pace in overtime and lost 16-12. In the second map, Vertigo, the Brazilian team reacted, winning 13-11, after holding off Complexity's pressure at the end of the match. .
However, on the decisive map, Ancient, the North American team was dominant. With a solid defensive strategy, Complexity neutralized Imperial's advances and closed the game 13-5, guaranteeing victory in the series and eliminating the Brazilians from the championship.
