G2 Esports kept their campaign at the Shanghai Major alive in dramatic fashion, overcoming a resilient HEROIC squad to book their place in the semifinals. This victory extends Nikola "NiKo" Kovač’s stint with G2, as the star player is set to join Falcons at the start of 2025.
G2 Esports have fought back against HEROIC to advance and continue their "last dance" in Shanghai.
G2 is through to the semifinal!
The best-of-three series began on Ancient, HEROIC’s map pick. Despite a pretty equal 5-7 first half, G2’s offense then faltered against HEROIC’s imperious CT-side. Abdul "degster" Gasanov, led the charge for HEROIC with 18 frags, capitalizing on G2's struggles, to steer his team to a 13-6 victory.
G2 did NOT connect to the correct server pic.twitter.com/X54eUVXPZZ
— HEROIC (@heroicgg) December 13, 2024
On Nuke, G2’s map pick, the narrative shifted. m0NESY roared back to form, posting 21 kills, while NiKo spearheaded G2’s resurgence with 26 frags. Another 5-7 deficit at halftime didn’t deter G2, as they flipped the script with a commanding CT-side performance to claim the map 13-9.
THE FLYING BUTTERFLY KNIFE KILL, ABSOLUTE CINEMA pic.twitter.com/t7On5rNCIa
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) December 13, 2024
The reverse-sweep was now within reach, setting the stage for an electrifying decider on Mirage.
The decider then delivered high-stakes drama that thrilled the Shanghai crowd. A back-and-forth first half saw the teams tied 6-6, and HEROIC seemed poised for an upset as they led 11-9 late in the game.
SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX pic.twitter.com/qlE1TY1xkQ
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) December 13, 2024
However, G2’s championship mentality was there. They came back to reach map and series point at 12-11, but stumbled, as HEROIC forced overtime.
The turning point came in a nail-biting round 26 when Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa pulled off a miraculous 1v3 clutch to save G2 from the brink of defeat.
THE PRIDE OF GUATEMALA pic.twitter.com/oWbK1aCBzz
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) December 13, 2024
His heroics not only swung momentum but also broke HEROIC’s resolve. From there, G2 stormed through overtime to close the series 16-13.
One step closer to the pic.twitter.com/e8mnvmMHsJ
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) December 13, 2024
With the victory, G2 advances to the semifinals to play FaZe Clan on Saturday. NiKo’s quest for a storybook ending with G2 lives on, while HEROIC will rue missed opportunities in a series that was theirs for the taking.