Cloud9 vs G2 Esports – VCT Americas Stage 1 Playoffs: G2 wins a brutal Map 2 in OT to eliminate C9

The VCT Americas Stage 1 Playoffs is here. And to start the festivities, we've got a Cloud9 vs G2 Esports series. The two meet in the Knockout Round, and whoever wins moves on to the Double Elimination Bracket.

Cloud9 has shown some dominance early on in 2024. They missed out on Masters Madrid from the Kickoff Tournament, but their Stage 1 regular season play was immaculate. They ended the Stage with a 5-1 record.

G2 Esports on the other hand had a rough go, but squeezed by. In a loss to LOUD, they managed to put together just enough rounds to make it into the playoffs. That, unfortunately, ensured Sentinels would miss out at a chance at Masters Shanghai.

So, we've got two clouted NA organizations, with leaf facing off against his former team. This one might come down to who can counter the other team best. Whatever the case may be, both teams need to bring their all to stay alive.

There is always the official VCT Americas channels on Twitch and YouTube, but why head there when you can stick with us? We've got a stream embedded for you, so you can watch while we deliver a recap.

Read on for a recap and clips that highlight all of the action of this VCT Americas Stage 1 Playoff contest.

Cloud9 scores first with a calculated retake on A Site. The next round was an easy clean up for them. They did not let the bonus slip away from them, retaking A Site again and defusing the Spike. Their defense continued to hold strong, putting up four quick rounds in a row.

Finally, a 4K from icy was the difference maker for G2, getting them their first round. That was the kickstart they needed to tie things. Then the lead was theirs. A massive 4K by OXY stopped the bleeding, but trent clutched up to keep G2 ahead at the half.

It was trent again in the second half pistol round, gunning down three members of Cloud9. They kept on rolling, putting together a nice string of rounds to reach double digits. At this point, nothing was going to stop them from taking Map 1.

They hit 11 rounds, but Cloud9 stayed alive for just a little longer. Soon enough, G2 shut down the C9 attacking strategy, getting themselves to map point. Great utility and Ultimate usage allowed G2 to push towards A Rubble, catching C9 off guard and putting it away.

Give Trent another 3K to take the Ascent pistol round for G2. The attack prowess of G2 shined once again, taking three rounds in a row. Make that four. It looked like it would be five, as trent got a 4K, but runi stepped in and shut him down.

It did not start up any momentum for Cloud9, however. G2 took the following round, and it was a back and forth affair after that. A nice A Site hold by Xeppaa and company put C9 to three, as they could only hope for a tie before halftime at best. And they ended the half just one shy of that.

Three right-clicks with the Classic started the second half for leaf, but moose delayed long enough for the Spike to go off and give C9 the round. They then tied it at seven a piece. A 3K from JonahP prevented C9 from taking the lead, however, giving it to G2 instead.

Cloud9 immediately took their round back, though. A lead followed, as this one stayed close. Cloud9 began to pull ahead, hitting double digits first. A Thrifty win kept G2 in it at this point. They soon tied it again. It felt like OT was inevitable, and sure enough, it was.

A hot start for G2 was in the cards. They pushed towards B Site, picking off C9 members left and right. That put them at map and series point once again. Kills were traded in the next round, but C9 got the Spike down and ensured OT continued.

G2 mirrored their first OT round push, but this time onto A Site to get ahead yet again. Their defense paid off this time. They flooded onto site for a retake, defused the Spike, and with that, Cloud9's Stage 1 is done and G2 moves on.

Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and VALORANT coverage.