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FNATIC Eliminated! Team Liquid Secure Final Master Santiago EMEA Spot
The VALORANT Champions 2025 Runner-ups, FNATIC, will be missing the first VCT Masters event of the year. Earlier today, in the lower bracket finals of 2026 VCT EMEA Kickoff, Team Liquid swept the team, securing the final ticket to Santiago from Berlin.
Team Liquid Sweep FNATIC
Coming into the series, many expected FNATIC to win the series as they were the very team that put Liquid into the lower bracket. When the game started, however, it was clear that the run gave Liquid enough confidence to slay their demons.
FNATIC’s map choice, Corrode, despite the close scoreline coming into the second half, was very much in Liquid’s control throughout its duration. Especially on their attack-side, Liquid dominated their opponents, eventually winning the map 13-6.
FNATIC did secure a small lead on Bind as attackers but the tide changed with the side and Liquid’s attack reigned supreme as they secured series point with a 13-10 map win.
Abyss was much closely contested. Both teams won seven rounds on their respective defense halves, ending regulation on a tied score. The back and forth continued for the four OTs, with nAts’ Outlaw 2k special helping them secure the third map, sweeping FNATIC.
With the win, they not only eliminate FNATIC, but secure the Masters Santiago.
This is now the third year FNATIC has failed to qualify for the first VCT Masters tournament. Despite the team’s success all year round, they seem to always fall short at the Kickoff tournaments.
With NRG facing MIBR over at VCT Americas Kickoff Lower Finals, there is a chance, the top 2 teams from VALORANT Champions 2025 do not even attend the first Masters tournament of 2026.
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Featured image credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games
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