NaVi have some soul-searching to do before the Major after a failed IEM Melbourne campaign.
NaVi's 2025 streak of playoff runs has been brought to an abrupt end by a plucky Team Liquid, who sent the Ukrainian squad packing from IEM Melbourne 2-1 (13-6, 10-13, 13-8).
While many weren't expecting NaVi to win the event, an exit like this is their first in months leaving many fans concerned over their form heading into the biggest event of the year, the BLAST Austin Major.
Related articles
Liquid recover to post first wins, playoffs spot with siuhy
Liquid were made to fight all the way though the group lower bracket on Wednesday following their 2-0 loss to Vitality. They overcame MIBR to take on NaVi for the last spot in the quarterfinals.
NaVi themselves struggled to put away FlyQuest, so it was not the greatest shock to see Liquid thrash them in the opener on Anubis 13-6. NaVi managed just four T-side rounds before a pistol round loss consigned them to needing back-to-back maps to keep the streak alive.
They bounced back on Inferno 13-10, but it was far from an impressive performance. Yet again in Melbourne NaVi squandered a big lead, this time seeing an 11-1 stomp slip away before they corrected late, putting Liquid away 13-10 and forcing Ancient.
Early clutches going both ways kept the scorekeeper honest, with Liquid edging ahead at the half 7-5. It's there where Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek's men shifted up a gear, claiming the pistol and conversions to open a lead.
Despite a late push from NaVi to hold onto the series, Liquid shrugged off the fightback to claim victory 13-8.
The win sees them head to Rod Laver Arena for the playoffs in their second event since acquiring siuhy as IGL. With no time to practice before PGL Bucharest, their 0-3 exit there was expected. But putting away NaVi is a marked achievement for the team in the midst of a minor rebuild.
As for NaVi, it's yet another concerning sign before the BLAST Austin Major. Alongside FaZe, who also exited IEM Melbourne before the arena, NaVi has the worst form of any team in the top 10. Pundits are heavily favouring the idea of the NaVi roster making changes before the event, lest they be left behind.
Liquid march to their first stage appearance since the Shanghai Major where they'll take on The MongolZ, while NaVi head home to do some soul-searching as the road to the Austin Major continues.
For more CS2 news stay tuned to esports.gg.
