NRG vs LOUD: LOUD reigns supreme in epic clash with NRG at VCT LOCK//IN

NRG face off against LOUD in the Alpha Bracket of the VCT LOCK//IN tournament in Sao Paulo. This will be the first time these fierce rivals lock horns this season following on from LOUD's triumph at Champions last season. Fixtures don't get much bigger than this and we are here to provide you with all of the updates.

Check out our live tracker for all of the results and information regarding the VCT LOCK//IN. You can also tune in to check out DRX vs Talon.

Both teams have gone through something of a makeover since Champions 2022. With the OpTic Gaming core of FNS, Victor, and Crashies moving over to NRG, and LOUD's Sacy and pancada moving over to Sentinels.

NRG have had a relatively strong start to the LOCK//IN, after a close run encounter with KOI and a slow start against Giants. Whereas LOUD have looked like true World Champions so far at their home event, having seen off Gen.G and Karmine Corp in their previous matches. This has the makings of a true Americas League grudge match. With one of these two titans being sent home afterwards. We cannot wait for this one to get started.

The match gets underway with a trip to Split, a first for NRG at LOCK//In. NRG opts to utilize a double controller comp against LOUD's double duelist setup. LOUD gets off to a solid start with four hard-fought round wins in a row. NRG manage to get a couple of round win of their own off the back of a very narrow defuse. But LOUD's mid-round coordination has been enabling the Brazilian team to retain control over this map. NRG call a timeout to try and regain some control over the map. But the NA side struggles to contain the pressure from the double duelist comp from Saadhak and Aspas. Enabling LOUD to take a 9 - 3 lead into halftime.

NRG go for a much more aggressive approach in an effort to claw back into this series. But LOUD come out with the same aggression they showed in the first half as they take both the pistol and succeeding round to increase their lead to 11 - 3. LOUD put a swift end to NRG's offense to take the map 13 - 3. Despite it being a solid performance from everyone on the side of LOUD, it was their new boy Tuyz who shone the brightest with a whopping 1.83 KDR.

After LOUD's scintillating performance on Split, the match heads to Pearl. LOUD take the opening three rounds of the first half to re-establish their dominance over NRG. The NA side almost manage to string two rounds in a row, but a huge clutch from Less and Aspas enables LOUD to hold a 4 - 1 lead. But NRG struck back at their opponents following a brief timeout by chaining five rounds in a row to take the lead at 6 - 4. But Cauanzin made a big play towards the final round of the half to reduce NRG's lead to 7 - 5 heading into halftime.

NRG start the second half off well with a solid pistol round win. The lead continues to build for NRG as they hit the double digit mark off of two big plays from Crashies. LOUD manage to claw back some momentum with their first two round wins of the half. And they continued to grow into their attack half as NRG's lead on the map was reduced to 11 - 9. NRG managed to hit map point, but LOUD fought their way back in the most spectacular fashion possible to force overtime.

The scrappy nature of the contest continued into overtime as both sides traded blows in the first couple of rounds. But it was in the second set of rounds that NRG managed to find enough in the tank to push themselves over the line. Taking Pearl 15 - 13 and tying up the series at 1 - 1.

NRG sprang back into this series in a big way on Pearl, after their dismal performance on Split. And with the teams loading into Fracture, this series truly is up for grabs now. LOUD got off to another solid start with four clinical round wins. NRG answered back with two rounds wins of their own, thanks to two big plays out of Crashies and Ardiis. And continued to grow into the map from there. But LOUD did well enough to stabilize much earlier than in Pearl. Allowing them to take a narrow 7 - 5 lead into halftime.

It felt as though NRG might have a chance of snatching the lead early on in the second half. But thanks to some incredible team work from Loud, and two big plays from Less and Tuyz, the Brazilians were able to increase their lead to 10 - 5. Yet the pendulum swung back into NRG's favor as they clawed four rounds back. And despite some late game heroics from Aspas, NRG stood firm to tie the map at 11 - 11. It felt as though this was NRG's map to win upon reaching match point. But then, out absolutely nowhere, Cauanzin pulled off an unreal 3k to clutch the final round of regulation and send Fracture into overtime. Reinvigorating the crowd in the process.

This map proved to be the crown jewel of not only this series, but of the VCT LOCK//IN overall. Both sides were lights out in regulation and it was now headed into overtime. Both teams managed to match each other blow for blow. With several players coming up with insane play round after round. Until, at long last, it was LOUD who managed to find that extra bit of oomph to get past their age old rivals to take Fracture 18 - 16 and claim victory in the series 2 - 1.

All of the matches at the VCT LOCK//IN tournament are being livestreamed from the Ginásio do Ibirapuera venue in Sao Paulo. This single-elimination, bracket-style tournament features all 30 of the Franchise Teams competing in the VCT this season, alongside two Chinese teams who were invited to participate. Fans who wish to watch this NRG vs LOUD match may do so by heading to the VALORANT Twitch channel.

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