EG vs LOUD – VCT Americas Kickoff Semifinals: LOUD qualifies to Masters Madrid

The VCT Americas Kickoff Semifinals starts with EG vs LOUD. After an unforgiving Group Stage, both teams have just one chance. That's right, the Playoff Stage of the event is a single elimination format, so it is either win or bust.

Follow the action alongside us as we deliver a recap, clip highlights, and watch to see which team prevails.

Evil Geniuses and LOUD have quite the history stemming from the first year of partnership in VCT Americas. Well, things are a bit different now as we head into the EG vs LOUD contest during the VCT Americas Kickoff tournament.

Only Jawgemo remains on EG, and they surprised everyone by taking out G2 Esports to advance to the playoffs. LOUD made one roster change, but it was rather significant with their star Duelist moving to LEV and qck slotting in.

Regardless of those changes, both teams look extremely resilient. Only one can represent the league at Masters Madrid, however. This semifinal battle is do-or-die for these two squads, and the entire VALORANT scene will be watching.

The official VALORANT Americas channels on Twitch and YouTube have the EG vs LOUD series. Several co-streamers are also giving their input on their personal channels. Or you could just watch it here with us!

After each half, we'll update you with a brief recap, any killer plays, and the current scores.

Evil Geniuses wasted no time in taking the lead during EG vs LOUD. A solid pistol round by Apoth put them up first. EG took the next, and looked primed to extend their lead in their bonus round. Tuyz with a clutch shut that down and got LOUD on the board.

Both teams had a few incredible moments, such as EG with some Odin wallbangs, and Tuyz with another multi-kill round. That kept things even early on between. Jawgemo with the Operator contributed to a Flawless round that pushed EG ahead and kept them in front for the rest of the half.

LOUD took the pistol round after halftime. That was quickly followed by another as they bought superior weaponry. The LOUD bonus was not as favorable as Evil Geniuses' was to start the match, putting the evil ones to double digits.

While LOUD was able to make some plays and put up rounds, it wasn't enough. EG reached 11 on a close Thrifty retake of the A Site. Another lower buy from the defending 2023 Champions got them to map point, and from there, it was an easy finish to put them up in the series.

LOUD made quick work of Evil Geniuses in the opening Icebox pistol round. The following was theirs, and then EG looked to get their first with guns in their hands. Tuyz had other ideas, however, keeping EG at zero with a low-HP clutch. They weren't shaken by the unorthodox composition of EG.

That was until Apoth netted three to finally get EG a round. LOUD retaliated and ensured at least a tied halftime score, as EG got a couple more to their name. Soon, LOUD secured a halftime lead, but EG was not done as Apoth had yet another popoff round.

LOUD repeated the pistol round victory, setting themselves up nicely to take Icebox. EG decided to buy some guns in the second round of the half, however, and stopped LOUD from getting further ahead. The Brazilian team took offense to that, dropping Harbor's Cove and sticking the defuse to reach 10.

The next round gave LOUD 11, as they overwhelmingly retook the B Site on Icebox. Another easy retake saw LOUD reach map point. They were ready to tie the series. EG did all they could to stay in it, but the story of incredible retakes by LOUD continued for them to stick the defuse and win the map

LOUD picked up where they left off on the previous map. A quick pistol was theirs. As it normally goes, the next went to LOUD, and EG took the one after with guns in their hands. EG wasn't able to capitalize, with LOUD securing their third. Each member of LOUD was simply hitting their shots, maintaining the lead.

It was time for qck to show up, taking down three members of EG to continue LOUD's huge lead. Evil Geniuses would need to mount a comeback similar to the one they did on Sunset against G2. It should have been unlikely, but a huge clutch by Derrek somehow made it only an 8:4 LOUD lead at halftime.

The pistol looked good for EG, but LOUD managed to get in their spawn and prevented them from starting the half strong. Double digits was an easy task for LOUD, putting them ahead by six. EG did not let LOUD convert the bonus, however, so there was still hope for that comeback.

A spraying 3K by Derrek should have continued their push back into Sunset, but LOUD did what LOUD does best to clutch up and reach 11. Aggression by EG was completely shut down for a Flawless round to give LOUD series point. And just one later round, Masters Madrid became LOUD's destination.

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