Image: Riot Games
It could have been the biggest upset in LoL esports history, but Gen.G managed to survive against FlyQuest to make it to the Semifinals.
South Korean League of Legends (LoL) powerhouse 
Gen.G Esports became the fourth and final team to qualify for the Worlds 2024 Knockout Stage Semifinals after surviving a five-game thriller against 
FlyQuest in the tournament's last Quarterfinals match on Sunday (October 20).
Gen.G entered Worlds 2024 as one of the biggest favourites to claim this year's Summoner's Cup, having won the 2024 Mid-Season Invitational and racking up the second-most championship points in South Korea's ever-competitive LoL Champions Korea (LCK).
FlyQuest, on the other hand, were the top seed of North America's LoL Championship Series (LCS). With that said, not many people had high hopes for the team given their region's lack of success compared to their counterparts in the East since 2019.
Gen.G looked like championship contenders from the outset of Worlds 2024 as they breezed through the Swiss Stage. They opened their campaign by defeating Weibo Gaming in round 1 and Top Esports in round 2, and then punched their tickets to the Knockout Stage with a 2-1 victory over Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) in round 3.
In stark contrast, FlyQuest barely made it past the Swiss Stage. They won their first match against GAM Esports, lost in round 2 to DPlus KIA, then bounced back against PSG Talon in round 3.
A 1-2 loss to HLE in round 4 then put the North American squad at real risk of an early elimination. However, FlyQuest clutched out a 2-1 victory over Team Liquid in the final round of the Swiss Stage to make it to the Knockout Stage by the skin of their teeth.
With Gen.G matched up against FlyQuest in the Quarterfinals, many expected the South Korean juggernauts to easily cruise into the Semifinals.
vs
FlyQuestFlyQuest were quick to remind everyone they were not to be underestimated, as they comfortably took the opening game of the series in 31 minutes. Gen.G immediately struck back in game two, tying up the series at 1-1 after 26 minutes of action. The pivotal game three of the series then saw FlyQuest overcome Gen.G in a 42-minute slugfest to put the South Korean favourites on the ropes.
Now faced with the prospect of falling victim to what would be the biggest upset in LoL esports history, Gen.G clutched out the last two games in 29 and 30 minutes, respectively. FlyQuest tried their best and really almost had it, but Gen.G should count themselves lucky to have taken the 3-2 series victory.
With their victory, Gen.G advance to the Worlds 2024 Semifinals and have guaranteed themselves at least a 3rd-4th place finish as well as $178,000 in winnings. They will next face reigning champions T1 for a spot in the Grand Finals.
Meanwhile, FlyQuest bow out from Worlds 2024 after their valiant effort in 5th-8th place and will take home $100,125 in consolation.
