MSI 2026's Bracket Stage delivered its biggest shock yet on July 8 at the Daejeon Convention Center: G2 Esports eliminated T1 3-1 in the lower bracket, ending seven years without a series win over the Korean powerhouse and snapping T1's historic streak of top-4 finishes at international events.
G2 break the curse against T1
Carried by a vintage BrokenBlade performance, G2 dominated Game 2 18 kills to 8 to take control of the series. T1 hit back in Game 3 to level the score, before a marathon Game 4 that ran past the 50-minute mark swung in the final stretch: Peyz first landed a pentakill in a Baron fight to put the Koreans ahead, but G2 answered immediately at the next Dragon fight to seize back control and close out the series. On Kled, BrokenBlade racked up 15 kills, tying the record for most kills by a toplaner in an international game, and was named series MVP.
LYON sweep Team Secret Whales to lock in a top-4 finish
In the day's other lower bracket clash, LYON delivered a clean 3-0 sweep of Team Secret Whales, winning 13-9 and 16-8 in games that both wrapped up in under 30 minutes. The French squad now guarantee at least a fourth-place finish and continue their run through the lower bracket.
T1 exit through the back door
For the first time in its history, T1 finish an international tournament outside the top four, tied with Team Secret Whales for fifth-sixth place and a $160,000 payout. Bilibili Gaming, meanwhile, face Hanwha Life Esports on July 9 in the Upper Bracket Final, with a direct spot in the Grand Final on the line.
Seven years after their last series win over the Koreans, G2 pull off one of the biggest upsets in their history and deny T1 a top-4 finish for the first time on the international stage.