In the second match in the first round elimination matches, we would see a VCT Masters Toronto rematch in Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) vs Sentinels.
Last time we saw these two teams against each other, it was in the upper bracket quarter-finals, where Sentinels won in a 2-0 sweep.
At that time, Sentinels ran through the Chinese gauntlet as the team's first three matches were against VCT China’s best in Toronto.
Fast forward to Paris, where both teams are on the chopping block and only one can survive; both teams would need to keep a level head if they wanted to move on.
Going into map one, XLG would get the first map pick of the series and chose Abyss.
For Sentinels, Abyss has been an okay map for them with a 50 per cent win rate and a 4-4 record, but for XLG, they haven’t won a single match on Abyss, having an 0-3 record on the map.
XLG started on the defensive side while Sentinels were attacking.
Sentinels would start this match with the advantage by playing aggressively each round.
XLG would be able to fend off Sentinels for a few rounds, but it wouldn’t last as the first half ended with Sentinels in the lead with a 7-5 score.
Sentinels Bang would be leading in the half with 8 kills, 5 deaths and 3 assists.
Going into the switch, XLG would make a significant comeback, tying the match at 8-8.
Though it wouldn’t matter as Sentinels, aggressive defence didn’t budge as they were able to defuse the spike any time XLG planted, and eventually XLG were wiped off the map of Abyss.
Sentinels would take the first map, with N4RRATE taking map MVP with 19 kills, 24 deaths and 7 assists.
XLG is now on the brink of elimination and needed to regroup before going into map two, as it wasn’t their choice; it was Sentienls.
Sentinels would choose Lotus to be the second map of the series, which made sense, as it was one of their best maps with a 13-5 record and a 72 per cent win rate.
With the odds in Sentinels' favour, they would start on the defensive side, while XLG went on the offensive.
Sentinels would grab two easy rounds to set the tone of what their defence would be like, but for XLG, they knew what type of defence Sentinels would be playing.
XLG would then go on a 9-1 round win streak in the first half, absolutely dominating on the offensive side, by taking control of the site and eliminating all of Sentinels.
Now at 9-3, XLG would have a significant lead with Happywei leading them at the half with 11 kills, 4 deaths and two assists.
Both teams would switch in the second half, and Sentienls would blast through the gates aggressively as they started the second half with a 5-round win streak, bringing the match to a 9-8 score.
XLG would make it 12-8 by winning three more rounds, and Sentinels would make it 12-11 to try and bring this map to overtime, but it didn’t matter as XLG were able to defuse the spike that would’ve sent the map to overtime.
XLG would bring the series 1-1 with Happywei taking map MVP with 23 kills, 13 deaths and 6 assists.
Now, with the series heading to a third map and both teams now at the edge of elimination, the decider map would be on Haven.
XLG would have the advantage heading into this match as this is one of their strongest maps with a 64 per cent win rate and a 9-5 record, and it showed as they started on the offence.
XLG would show how strong their playstyle is on Haven when they took the first half at 7-5, mostly by elimination, with Happywei leading with 14 kills, 7 deaths and 2 assists.
Going into the second half, Sentinels would try to play aggressively, but XLG knew the map well and would shut down any attempt at a comeback, taking the win 13-8.
Happywei took the map MVP with 24 kills, 11 deaths, 7 assists, and he would take match MVP with 63 kills, 42 deaths and 27 assists.
With Sentinels eliminated, XLG moves on to face GiantX in the decider match for the playoffs.