G2 beats Sentinels to reach VCT Americas Grand Final, NRG claims last Champions slot

Today’s VCT Americas Stage 2 Playoffs served as a thrilling crescendo of high-level competition. G2 Esports outdueled Sentinels in a tightly contested upper final, earning themselves a direct ticket to the grand final and bringing this year’s head-to-head record between the teams to 4-2 in G2’s favor. In the lower bracket, NRG responded with a close-fought series that went to all three maps to knock out Cloud9, seizing the final Champions slot and denying C9 a return to the international stage.

G2 Esports shuts down Sentinels 2-0, first VCT Americas Stage 2 finalists

Today’s game against Sentinels saw G2’s leaf return after a break due to health issues. His return to the server saw him tie with jawgemo for highest ACS on the team, with his Chamber/Deadlock picks doing work.

G2 Esports entered their matchup with Sentinels with confidence, backed by a formidable track record this season. On Corrode, they quickly asserted control. Despite the first half being fairly even, G2 were able to come out on top with a 7-5 lead. After the side-swap, they won the next four rounds to get them to 11-5, a position that Sentinels just couldn’t come back from. SEN fought hard; their disciplined defaults and coordinated defense kept them close until mid-game, but G2 ultimately broke through for a 13–8 win.

On Ascent, Sentinels had their moments with early advantages and clutch trades from N4RRATE and bang, but G2’s resilience was too strong. They adjusted their mid-round reactions and neutralized Sentinels’ rotations with precision. Jawgemo continued to lead G2’s impact, while the rest of the roster matched his aggression with consistency. That clinched a second 13–9 map for G2, sending them to the grand final and cementing their status as the Americas’ top team heading into the weekend. G2’s jawgemo delivered a standout performance — his 241 ACS, equalled only by leaf, and seven first kills placed him above everyone else in the series.

In post-match interviews, G2’s valyn encapsulated the feeling of today’s win over their biggest regional rival well: “We knew Sentinels would bring their best. For us to grow, we had to match that, and today we showed it. Grand Final, here we come.”

NRG Redeems Themselves Against Cloud9 to Secure VALORANT Champions

Later in the lower bracket, NRG and Cloud9 faced off in an emotional clash with Champions Paris on the line.

The first map, Haven, belonged to NRG. C9 found a blistering 7-0 start before NRG even found themselves a round on the board. Despite this, NRG were able to close the half out with only an 8-4 deficit, en route to a comeback after the side swap on their own defensive side. They got it all the way to 12-10, but C9 stopped messing around and closed out their opponent’s map pick 13-10.  OXY was the map’s MVP with a 273 ACS, five first kills, and a +8 kill differential.

NRG responded on Corrode, showcasing their hallmark aggressive mid-round adjustments. They were able to win a pistol but lost the anti-eco and bonus. This didn’t not seem to faze them, however, as they proceeded to win the next nine rounds in a row to end the half 10-2. After this dominant showing, C9 were simply left in no state to fight back, and NRG pushed the series to a map three decider. Mada’s KD after the map was 21/5 on Waylay, the standout performer.

Lotus served as the final battleground where NRG’s composure was tested after a 6-6 first half. Cloud9 brought the pressure, winning the next three rounds after the side swap, but crucial pop-off moments by players like s0m and mada, and some clean calling from Ethan, kept NRG in the game. In the end, NRG’s coordination enabled them to win Lotus 13-10 and confirm for themselves the final Champions spot. NRG’s mada reflected on his team’s resilience: “Losing a close map hits hard. Mentally, we stayed focused and trusted our process. Now we get to keep fighting on the global stage.”

Paris Picture Comes Into Focus

This afternoon’s results settle the full VCT Americas representation in Champions Paris:

• G2 Esports, Sentinels, and previously qualified MIBR had already qualified to represent the region.
• NRG secures the final slot with their late-day triumph over C9, keeping them alive on the global stage.
• Cloud9 are eliminated—an abrupt conclusion to a valiant lower-bracket run.

G2’s ascent continues to underscore their elite status across the region, despite having fielded a substitute for weeks on end, while NRG, after earlier struggles, find themselves back in the international theater thanks to today’s clutch performance. With Paris now on the horizon, Americas sends four names that truly earned their way there through performance and perseverance.