MSI 2024: LLA’s Estral Esports show up vs T1

The first day of the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2024 involved the match between Estral Esports and T1.

Both T1 and EST are in the play-in stage of League of Legends MSI 2024. To advance to the group stage, teams must win two matches, and two losses means elimination. T1, as the defending World Champions, were the clear favorites going into this match. Despite this, Estral Esports did not make it easy for them.

T1 not only comes from the strong LCK region, but they had momentum going their way, too. They are fresh off their Worlds 2023 win and made no changes to their starting five.

Estral Esports, however, had Josedeodo on their side. Most people expected T1 to curb-stomp the team representing the LLA, but Estral Esports had other plans.

Estral Esports decided that they would go out swinging and lock in Draven for Snaker as a counter to Gumayusi's Kalista. T1 avoided this disadvantageous situation by initiating a lane swap, and Estral Esports answered by putting their Yone behind while sling-shotting their Draven ahead.

The weak Yone on the top side was constantly pressured by T1. The early game turned bloody quick due to the T1-initiated plays. Throughout all this, Estral Esports did not look helpless and had successful plays of their own. They were never really counted out of the game until the end and were even in advantageous positions at some points.

Unfortunately, all fairy tales must come to an end. T1 patiently grew their gold lead, slowly took control of the map, and ended the game once empowered by the Baron Nashor.

In Game 2, both teams drafted relatively standard LoL MSI 2024 compositions. If there was anything to point out, it would be Keria's Rumble.

T1 once again initiated a lane swap, but Estral was quicker on the trigger this game and made a fast play in mid to snag first blood.

Josedeodo had superior positioning and awareness on the map. This same superiority was what kept Estral Esports above water. This game had even more action than Game 1, and it was impressive to see Estral Esports holding their own against one of the best teams in the world.

Most of the scuffles around the map did not end with a clear winner — until Oner's Viego popped off for a Quadra Kill. T1 attempted to end off of this window, but Estral Esports successfully repelled this attempt. Four members of T1 dropped during this attempt.

Unfortunately for Estral Esports, T1 had already grown a sizable lead at this point in the game. The final nail in the coffin for Estral Esports was the Baron Nashor buff that T1 acquired promptly after their respawn.

With this match win, T1 will face FlyQuest for a spot in the Bracket Stage of the LoL MSI 2024.

The LoL MSI 2024 is currently ongoing, culminating on May 19, 2024.