Team Heretics vs Paper Rex – VCT Masters Madrid Swiss Stage: PRX eliminates TH in a three map classic

The second elimination series of Masters Madrid is Team Heretics vs. Paper Rex. Both have had surprising journeys to this tournament, with one not expected to be here and the other being the second seed after expectations of being the first. Only one can stay in the tournament, but this should be a good one.

Follow along with us for a recap and highlights of the match.

Team Heretics, filled with hungry but very green players, bested NAVI to make it to Madrid. Then they put up a fight against Sentinels, that could have gone either way. This is a team that many didn't think would be here, but they were destined to regardless.

When it comes to Paper Rex, Gen.G gave them 2nd Place in the VCT Pacific Kickoff. And they fell hard to EDward Gaming at the start of Masters Madrid. Perhaps their chaotic style needs to be tightened up a bit to make it further this time around?

Whatever way you slice it, this should be a hard fought series from both sides. Teams just play differently when it comes to elimination matches. They know their life in the tournament is on the line, so expect Team Heretics vs Paper Rex during Masters Madrid Day 4 to be a banger.

Whether you're watching the official VALORANT channels on YouTube and Twitch, or catching a co-stream, there are plenty of ways to catch Masters Madrid. Another way is just staying right here with us as we recap the series.

Read on to find a recap, clips, and highlights of the contest.

A very close pistol round went the way of Paper Rex to kick this one off. Team Heretics managed to squeeze out the next two, however, putting the hurt on PRX's economy. They had to wait another round to get their second on the board. Team Heretics banned together to prevent a tie, with a nice retake.

With the crowd firmly behind the hometown Heretics org, they took an early lead. That wasn't enough to stun Paper Rex, though. The Pacific team fought back hard to keep it tight. That gave the momentum to keep it tied at halftime.

Another pistol round was Paper Rex's, giving them a one round lead. A Flawless Round followed to give them another. With weapons in their hands, however, MiniBoo led the charge onto B Site and held it down for their seventh.

A quick three-piece from mindfreak helped PRX get to 10 rounds on the map. TH wasn't backing down, though. The Boo brothers refused to give up, but what should have tied the game was an 11th by PRX from Monyet. A valiant effort by TH was shut down by PRX, who took map one.

A big pistol round retake gave Heretics their first opening half win of the series. PRX responded with the following to tie it right up. They decisively took the next few rounds until MiniBoo stepped it up with a 3K, giving TH their second of the map.

Soon after, Heretics had the momentum they needed to tie it up and then take the lead. A bit of a back and forth carried things to halftime. TH managed to squeeze ahead with a small lead, in hopes of using that to drive their success in the second half.

A second pistol round was not found by TH, as PRX netted another to close the gap on Lotus. It didn't take long for Paper Rex to snag the lead, with d4v41 taking down three in the process. Something followed that up with a 4K Outlaw play to extend their advantage.

A KJ Lockdown and an overwhelming push onto C Site tied things at nine a piece. The next was PRX's, however, giving them back the lead. A great flank by Benjyfishy gave us a tie once more. TH invested everything they had to reach map point. It paid off, giving them the map and forcing a third.

Split's opening pistol round was incredibly quick, and Flawless for Paper Rex. All but one in the series has been theirs thus far. A 4K from something put them at two. In response, Benjyfishy took down four to get TH their first round. Another 4K proved that A Site is his playground, tying it up with PRX.

Benjyfishy played in the same spot in consecutive rounds, and PRX was never able to clear him. That gave Heretics the slight lead. With just one bullet, Boo finished a 4K and pushed TH's lead further. And then incredibly, they gave it up, allowing Paper Rex to tie it before halftime.

In the second half, it was just as chaotic. Paper Rex took the lead, with TH gaining another round. Then a 3K from f0rsakeN in a Flawless round kept PRX ahead. He followed that up with a 4K to bring his team to a comfortable 10 rounds.

One round later and they were at 11, making it hard for Team Heretics to come back. A quick following round was map and series point for Paper Rex. Team Heretics, on the brink of elimination, were not able to get it together. PRX took the series and knocked them out.

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