Cloud9 vs Evil Geniuses – VCT Americas 2024 Stage 1: C9 dominates Split to win it

VCT Americas looks to be up in there. We've got Cloud9 vs Evil Geniuses to finish off Week 2 of Stage 1, and there are plenty of stories to follow with this one.

We've got your covered with clips to highlight the series and a live recap for you to follow along. C9 or EG have a chance to get their momentum up here.

Cloud9 went through some roster changes and it appears to have paid off. They bested Leviatán in a banger series, but then LEV went on to defeat Masters Madrid winners, Sentinels. What does this mean for C9's legacy?

And then looking at EG, they are a far cry from their world championship roster that ended 2023. Still, the talent and potential is there. They just have to want it. This could be their chance to finally gain that much needed first win, like 100 Thieves did against G2.

Either way, one of these teams will be looking to build something in the early stages of VCT Americas 2024. Cloud9 just happens to have a bit of a head start with a victory in their rearview. Don't count out a hungry Evil Geniuses team, though.

The official VCT Americas channels on YouTube and Twitch, along with any creator watch parties, will host Cloud9 vs Evil Geniuses. We have the stream embedded here for you, however, so you can watch along with us.

Enjoy highlights and a recap of the action below.

The first round was a clean one for Cloud9. An almost Ace followed by OXY, as he took down four with a Marshal. Evil Geniuses got on the board shortly after in the bonus, and it didn't cost them much. That allowed them to keep their weapons, get util, and tie it up early.

The teams went back and forth at this point, with retakes and post-plant holds successful on each side. A 3K from Xeppaa should have been what pushed C9 ahead, but EG managed to win the round. Another 3K for C9, by runi, tied it at five. Ult after ult saved for round 12 ensured C9 was up at the half.

Moving to their defensive side, EG showed plenty of aggression. Three rounds in a row were in their favor, giving them the lead, and forcing a C9 timeout. The streak continued as they isolated the Spike on B Site, blocking Cloud9 from reaching it.

A 3K from moose brought C9 closer and stopped the bleeding. A great read by EG helped them hold down A Site to get them to double digits. An 11th quickly followed. And then it was map point with a speedy 4K from Jawgemo. More heroics from Jawgemo cemented this one for EG.

Despite Xeppaa taking down three in the pistol, it went to EG as they looked to sweep the series. C9 would do everything they could to prevent that, snagging the second round. EG got the next, but C9 said, "No," to another back and forth.

Cloud9's attack continued to roll. A very important clutch by runi kept their momentum going. They ensured a lead at halftime, despite any efforts from Evil Geniuses. And the last round of the first half was all OXY, with a 3K stopping any sort of defensive hold.

Cloud9 dominated the pistol round, and the following to reach 10 rounds very easily. A nasty flank by OXY pushed him to 25 kills on the map and netted C9 their 11th round of Sunset. Control was all theirs on both sides of the Spike.

The OXY show continued as he took down three to push Cloud9 to map point. And while it all looked said and done, Evil Geniuses fought back. Huge plays all around put pressure on C9 to close it out. Then, as VALORANT goes, a Thrifty round is what shut down the EG comeback, sending us to map three.

A close pistol round went in favor of Cloud9 here. After that, Cloud9 started to string rounds together with a solid defensive strategy. Two kills from both Xeppaa and Vanity extended their lead. After going up by five, a nice clutch by Jawgemo finally got EG on the board.

That did nothing for them in terms of momentum. Cloud9 continued to stomp ahead towards halftime. Eventually, Evil Geniuses would get their second round, but that's all they'd see. A 4K by OXY took C9 to nine, then came 10, and onto halftime we went.

The second half pistol round was basically the nail in the coffin. Cloud9 took it, hit 11, and were just two rounds away from decimating EG on Map 3. Leave it to OXY to get another 4K under his belt to help Cloud9 reach series point.

A slow push towards A Site and its Ramp area did not close things out. Evil Geniuses held it down as Apoth took out four. The deficit was clearly too large, though, as Cloud9 put it away with an eco victory just as they did on Sunset.

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