With EDG and XLG Out, All Gamers Keep the Chinese Dream Alive at the 2026 VALORANT Masters Santiago

Things went south fast for Chinese fans today. The 2026 VALORANT Masters Santiago just saw two of its Chinese representatives in the Swiss Stage knocked out on the exact same day. EDward Gaming and XLG Esports packed their bags after facing brutal reality checks against heavy hitters, with both teams failing to win even a single map during the Swiss Stage.

It stings to lose two major contenders so early, as neither squad could find their footing when the pressure was cranked up to the absolute maximum. However, the region is not completely out of the tournament just yet. With All Gamers waiting securely in the playoffs, the Chinese dream is still very much alive, even if the Swiss Stage proved to be a disappointing run for EDG and XLG.

How it all fell apart for EDG

EDward Gaming was supposed to carry the torch for China, but they ran into a surging T1 squad. Coming into this Swiss Round matchup, EDG were eager to impress after their first submle in the event. However, the odds were heavily stacked against them. 

Fans desperately hoped for an upset, but reality hit hard. The Korean powerhouse showed exactly why 76% of STRAFE fans voted in their favor, completely controlling the pace and shutting down EDG's signature explosive plays.

Where was that dominant team that usually tears through their domestic competition? History was not on their side, as T1 had already beaten them a number of times in their previous encounters, including a decisive 3 to 1 victory back in March of last year at the Masters Bangkok. EDG tried to fire back and certainly wasn't going down without a fight, but T1's tactical depth was just too much to handle. Every time EDG looked for an opening, they were instantly punished. The loss abruptly eliminates them from the tournament.

A Tough Pill to Swallow for XLG

If EDG's loss was painful, XLG's exit was basically a script everyone saw coming but hoped would magically change. They had the absolute nightmare task of facing G2 Esports, one of the top teams in the world right now. When nearly 94% of STRAFE fans predict you are going to lose, just stepping onto the server takes serious guts. Prior to this match, XLG had won three of their last five games, but facing the Kings of the Americas is a completely different challenge.

G2 steamrolled them, specially on the second map. They didn't give XLG an inch to breathe, completely suffocating their game plan from the very first round. The Chinese squad tried to string some momentum together, but G2 just completely shut them down. We had already seen this movie before, as G2 previously swept them 2 to 0 back in the Masters Toronto, and today's rematch looked just as lopsided. It was a massive mismatch, and it showed exactly why G2 remains at the top of the food chain, sending XLG straight to the airport.

The Disappointment Hurts, but China Is Not Done Yet

Seeing both EDward Gaming and XLG Esports eliminated on March 3rd is an undeniable blow to the Chinese Valorant scene. It is a harsh wake-up call about the current gap between them and top tier international rosters from other regions. They simply couldn't keep up with the relentless pace and mid-round adaptations that defined today's matches. The tactical differences were clear, and the regional playstyles clashed in a way that left the Chinese Swiss Stage squads looking lost.

However, the Chinese VALORANT scene still has a massive wildcard left in the mix. All Gamers bypassed the Swiss Stage entirely and will carry the banner for the region in the playoffs. For EDG and XLG, the experience gained here is invaluable, highlighting exactly what needs fixing before the next global event. The sting of this double elimination will last for a while, but the tournament is far from over for Chinese fans who now have all their chips pushed toward All Gamers.

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Featured Image Credit: Riot Games

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