Do the LEC dare to dream?
That's pretty much what the whole of the LEC region should be feeling right now with Fnatic looking exceptionally solid on day two of the Play-In Stage at Worlds 2022. They managed to withstand the onslaught that was DetonatioN FocusMe of the LJL and grind out another hard-fought win. This puts Fnatic in the driver's seat and is very likely the first team to head straight to the group stage.
As for DFM, they will be wondering where did it all go wrong for them. After a great start in the early game, DFM never managed to keep control of the map and Fnatic, allowing them to steadily claw themselves back into the game. DFM are now 0-2 and their day isn't over yet as they will be playing Chiefs Esports Club a little while later.
For the most part, Fnatic has looked like they've grown into the tournament the longer it goes on. Of course, with how the game started, you would never have guessed that Fnatic had to dig deep and earn that victory. It was DFM who started the game on the front foot, constantly applying pressure across the map and not allowing Fnatic to get comfortable. DFM also managed to pick up quite a few kills in the early game whilst keeping Fnatic at arm's length.
But it didn't take long before the legendary LEC org managed to slowly but surely, fight their way back into the game. While DFM was leading in kills, Fnatic was getting the better of them in the economy department. Fnatic was able to pick off key members of DFM who were caught out of position, putting them in a prime spot to take objectives.
DFM could feel the pressure mounting, which led them to their first costly error of four-man pushing Fnatic's top lane. Not only did they fail to claim the turret, but they also lost all members of the squad with Marek "Humanoid" Brázda going wild on LeBlanc. This opened up the doors for Fnatic to claim the Baron uncontested and lay siege onto DFM's remaining turrets.
It didn't take them long to do just that with Humanoid getting another double kill for his troubles as Fnatic pushed DFM back into their base whilst picking off three in the process. They ended up destroying the top half of DFM's base before retreating to reset and regroup for the next Baron. With DFM forced to contest, they were jumped upon by Fnatic right outside the pit. Not to be outdone, Elias "Upset" Lipp on Kai'Sa managed to snag himself a triple kill to hammer the final nail in the coffin.
Whilst by no means did DFM play badly; Fnatic was just on another level when it came to teamfight control and being able to crowd rush at a moment's notice. DFM will be looking to come back stronger with their match against CHF later today. If they lose, they will end the day going 0-3 in Worlds 2022.
