Liquid send NA allies Complexity home from PGL Antwerp Major, could potentially reach Legends stage despite 0-2 start

When NA wins, NA loses.

Team Liquid CS:GO player nitr0 smiling.
Photo via PGL

Team Liquid took down Complexity 2-0 in a clash of North American CS:GO rosters at the PGL Antwerp Major today, eliminating their American counterparts from the Challengers Stage. Liquid have reached the decisive round five of the Swiss stage despite a lackluster 0-2 start.

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Liquid started the series a bit shaky, at one point trailing on their own pick, Ancient, 11-8 with primary fragger EliGE struggling. But Liquid rallied by winning eight of the next nine rounds to close out a stellar CT-side, with a strong showing coming from the French legend shox.

After switching to Vertigo, Liquid started building an early lead on the CT side despite Complexity making a number of those rounds close and stealing a couple of pistols. Liquid took a 12-3 before switching sides and looked crisp and clutch in their T-side executes once they got guns in their hands. Liquid reached a 15-5 lead before Complexity attempted to mount a desperate but still impressive comeback. A late A execute finally secured the 16-12 victory for Liquid, though, propelled by a 29-kill performance by NAF.

The two North American representatives both started the Challengers Stage on the wrong foot with opening-round losses, and Liquid took another misstep with a loss to former AWPer FalleN and Imperial Esports. Complexity then split maps with IHC and Outsiders, forcing them into the 1-2 pool against Liquid after EliGE and crew dashed 9z’s hopes in a two-map series.

Liquid now move into the 2-2 pool and will play a decisive best-of-three in which a win means advancing to the Legends Stage and a loss means going home early.

For Complexity, the roster of former Extra Salt, Liquid, and FURIA players has found some success in domestic competition, but the group formed just a few months ago and is still seeking that breakthrough performance at an international event.

Author
Image of Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.