FaZe Clan pulled off a remarkable reverse sweep to defeat Vitality in the Shanghai Major quarterfinals, keeping their title hopes alive. The thrilling series ended 2-1 (6-13, 13-8, 13-7) in FaZe’s favor, fueled by an outstanding performance from Robin “ropz” Kool.
Vitality Dominates on Nuke
The series began on Nuke, FaZe’s map pick, where Vitality immediately asserted dominance. The trio of Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Lotan “Spinx” Giladi, and Shahar “flameZ” Shushan overwhelmed FaZe, cruising to a 13-6 victory.
For FaZe, ropz stood out as the sole bright spot, but his heroics weren’t enough to prevent a decisive loss that left FaZe on the brink of elimination.
FaZe Strikes Back on Mirage
The tide turned on Mirage. Despite a shaky start on the T-side, FaZe found their groove after switching to the CT-side, where their defensive prowess shone. With well-coordinated plays and solid rifle rounds, FaZe secured a commanding 13-8 victory, leveling the series and setting the stage for a dramatic decider.
Ropz Shines on Anubis to Complete the Comeback
The final map, Anubis, showcased why ropz is one of the best players in the world. After struggling earlier in the season, the Estonian rifler delivered when FaZe needed him most. Ropz posted a stellar 28 kills with only 10 deaths, dominating Vitality with crucial multi-kills and pivotal 1v1 clutches.
FaZe took control of Anubis early and maintained their momentum throughout, closing out the series with a 13-7 victory. The Shanghai crowd, initially cheering for Vitality, switched allegiance mid-series and erupted with chants of “send them home” as FaZe sealed their win.
FaZe vs. G2: A Semifinal Showdown
With the win, FaZe advances to face G2 Esports in the semifinals on Saturday. G2 secured their spot with a dramatic victory over Heroic, thanks to Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa’s clutch heroics. The winner of this semifinal clash will move on to the grand finals, where they will face either Team Spirit or MOUZ on Sunday.
Final Toughts
FaZe’s victory not only keeps their Shanghai Major dream alive but also offers a golden opportunity to redeem themselves after a disappointing second half of 2024. With momentum on their side and ropz in peak form, FaZe is poised to make a statement in the semifinals.
MalbsMd and NiKo Lead G2 to Shanghai Major Semifinals with Thrilling Win Over Heroic