Fnatic comes out on top despite the off-field issues.
The LEC comes out on top once again, this time with Fnatic taking down Evil Geniuses with a clinical and precise victory. Despite all the drama surrounding the team heading into Worlds 2022, Fnatic has been able to overcome all that and grind out a hard-earned result.
EG had their own baggage as well, losing their star AD carry right before the LCS Championship weekend and then bringing on raw talent from the academy team. While that wasn't the team's main issue, take nothing away from Fnatic as they were clinical from the get-go, even with their very own stand-in.
Unlike the first game, both Fnatic and EG started the game out at a much slower pace. It wasn't until the ninth minute when Fnatic claim first blood, courtesy of Elias "Upset" Lipp on Miss Fortune. With this being his first-ever Worlds event after missing out last year, it was a great way for him to open his account on the international stage. From there, both teams were content to go back to farming, which EG took to claim the first drake. But it was the bottom lane duo of Upset and Ruben "Rhuckz" Barbosa combining once again to perfection.
It wasn't until the 13th minute did EG finally respond with a kill of their own going to Kacper "Inspired" Słoma on Viego. But from then on, Fnatic was still able to keep their advantage healthy, pressuring all three lanes whilst keeping their gold lead ahead of EG. Fnatic even managed to snag the second drake while EG could only watch. Despite all that, EG managed to still pick off Marek "Humanoid" Brázda a little while later. This time, it was Joseph "Jojopyun" Pyun on Sylas claiming EG's second and only kill of the game.
From here on out, it was Fnatic's game to lose as despite dropping two quick kills to EG, were still able to relentlessly apply pressure onto EG's towers. Fnatic was even able to take the third drake without any contest from EG. With every outer turret falling, EG was not able to defend in any capacity, knowing that they are very much behind. Fnatic also managed to bait EG into a fake Baron attempt, forcing Inspired out of position and to get instantly ganked. Upset claimed his fourth kill of the game while Iván "Razork" Martín Díaz on Graves got the other kill.
Fnatic had total control from here with even Martin "Wunder" Nordahl Hansen and Razork walking out of a four-man gank attempt from EG with nothing but a scratch. Fnatic soon took the fourth drake and headed straight for EG's base. They took it apart piece by piece in no time at all, leaving EG to look on in despair. Fnatic was able to keep them at arm's length the entire time, breaking both the middle and bottom structures. With only the topside of the map still standing, Fnatic went for the kill, wiping out all of EG in the process and headed for the Nexus soon after.
It was a clean and swift win from Fnatic with only two deaths to their name while Upset got half of the team's kills with six. Fnatic will be looking to take this win on the bounce and head to their next game against Chiefs Esports Club with the same energy and momentum. EG will be looking to reset and regroup before their game tomorrow against LOUD.
Next up will be LOUD versus Beyond Gaming from the PCS in the third game of the Play-In Stage at Worlds 2022.
