The second stage of the Shanghai Major is over and every team that was supposed to advance to the playoffs was successful, with one exception: Natus Vincere.
Unfortunately for the most accomplished CS2 team of 2024, their defeat against MIBR in round 2 proved to be more damaging than it seemed at the time. Immediately after, Na’Vi had to play against Team Spirit because of it and suffered a crushing defeat: 2 – 13 on Mirage.
Finally, after defeating GamerLegion in round 4, Mihai “iM” Ivan and his teammates encountered HEROIC, a team they had struggled against repeatedly in 2024 and 2023. Once again, they lost the match and were eliminated from the tournament.
But apart from this surprising elimination, there were no real upsets in the second stage of the Shanghai Major.
The Eight Qualified Teams
Here are the teams that advanced to the playoffs:
- The MongolZ: 3 W – 0 L
- Team Vitality: 3 W – 0 L
- G2 Esports: 3 W – 1 L
- Team Spirit: 3 W – 1 L
- Team Liquid: 3 W – 1 L
- HEROIC: 3 W – 2 L
- FaZe Clan: 3 W – 2 L
- MOUZ: 3 W – 2 L
All of these teams have what it takes to win the trophy. The big favorites seem to be Vitality, G2, Spirit, and The MongolZ. But we could easily see a team like MOUZ or even Team Liquid overperforming and winning the tournament.
The strength difference between the final eight teams is small. What will make the difference in the end is individual form and psychology.
One brilliant moment may result in a key round victory and eventually, a map and even a match victory. With so few rounds to play on each map, it doesn’t take much to win but it doesn’t take much to lose either.
