G2 Esports vs LOUD – VCT Americas 2024 Stage 1: LOUD dominates Icebox as both teams make playoffs

G2 Esports vs LOUD is the final game of VCT Americas 2024 Stage 1. And it still has playoff implications. All eyes will be on this one to see how the mid-season playoff bracket shapes up, with a chance at Masters Shanghai for Americas' finest.

It really is a win-and-your-in situation for these teams. For G2 it is a bit less complicated than it is for LOUD. G2 just needs to put together 14 total rounds in the series to push Sentinels from contention and take the playoff spot.

LOUD has to get a victory in this one to make the mid-season tournament. If they don't, then Evil Geniuses is looking at another miracle run like the team did in 2023. This one has a lot more going behind it than meets the eye.

Either one team completely spoils Stage 1 for the other, or there is a bit of luck on their sides. We could easily see both teams advance after G2 Esports vs LOUD, but it just depends on how close of a series they find themselves in.

We've made watching G2 vs LOUD super simple. While you can always tune into an official VCT Americas channel, or co-stream, on Twitch or Youtube, you can also stay here. A stream is embedded so you can watch along with us.

Read on for a recap of the series and clips that highlight the action.

Round 1 began with aggressive defense by G2, giving them a quick pistol win. The next was just as easy for them, with leaf picking up a 4K. LOUD got some weapons and then snagged their first. Early on, Bind was tied. A solid post-plant hold then gave LOUD the lead.

Back and forth it went at this point. The teams traded rounds, filled with utility and Ultimate usage. As Map 1 approached halftime, LOUD pushed just slightly ahead. With a lesser economy, G2 was able to prevent LOUD from pulling too far ahead before the sides switched.

G2 took the second pistol round of the map, ready to catch LOUD rather quickly. They did just that in the following. The bonus round was a success, as they rushed onto B Site, taking the lead and forcing LOUD to save. The save was what they needed, as tuyz netted a 3K to keep LOUD in it.

The super close score line continued. G2 took back the lead, but LOUD was hot on their tail. Soon enough, LOUD tied the map at 11. LOUD replicated the same defensive aggression G2 showed at the start of Bind, and it put them at map point. An unbelievable spray through the Viper's pit by qck set them up to win.

G2 entered Icebox needing just three rounds to make playoffs. LOUD, however, needed another map victory to win the series in order to make the playoff bracket. The Brazilian team kicked off Icebox with a huge pistol round. Deeper into the map, LOUD's defense looked unstoppable after a 4K from cauanzin.

It wasn't pretty, but finally, after giving up five in a row, G2 got on the board. The next was theirs with the Viper's Pit down, and they at least ensured a tiebreaker match against Sentinels. A nice clutch from Less kept G2 needing more. Finally, G2 got their round to qualify for playoffs, but were way down in the map.

The first round of the second half was all LOUD, putting them at double digits. An incredibly fast second round put them in a great position. It was utter dominance, and did not take long before they reached map and series point against G2.

G2 put up a bit of a fight, but the lead was too much to overcome. Another huge clutch by Less sealed it. And despite the decimation on Icebox, both teams advance to the mid-season playoffs. That means Sentinels and Evil Geniuses will miss out because of how things played out.

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