As Day 9 of VALORANT Champions 2024 unfolded in Seoul, Korea, fans witnessed intense battles with playoff spots on the line. The tension was palpable as two decisive matches took place, determining the fate of Gen.G, Sentinels, Fnatic, and KRÜ Esports.

Sentinels vs. Gen.G

The highly anticipated rematch between Sentinels and Gen.G saw Sentinels emerge victorious, knocking Gen.G out of the tournament. This victory was a stark contrast to their first encounter, where Gen.G had previously dominated the champions of VCT Masters Madrid. However, Sentinels, having clawed their way back through the lower bracket, were not ready to go home.

Map 1: Lotus – Sentinels chose Lotus as their map pick and quickly established dominance, winning five out of the first six rounds. Both teams opted for similar compositions, but Sentinels’ patience and strategic play, especially from Zachary “zekken” Patrone and Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro, who secured multiple first-bloods, made the difference. Sentinels closed out the map with a 13-9 victory.

Map 2: Icebox – In a surprising twist, Sentinels, who had avoided Icebox throughout the event, delivered a commanding performance. Despite Gen.G’s efforts in post-plant scenarios, Sentinels’ ability to defuse consistently saw them sweep the map 13-6. A highlight of the match was t3xture’s long-awaited ACE, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Sentinels secured their spot in the playoffs as the second seed from their group, while Gen.G’s tournament run came to a disappointing end.

Fnatic vs. KRÜ Esports

Fnatic, the top seed from VCT EMEA, faced off against KRÜ Esports in what turned out to be one of the most thrilling series of the tournament. Fnatic, known for their incredible form, were expected to win, but KRÜ Esports had other plans.

Map 1: Sunset – KRÜ Esports shocked the audience by taking the first map. Led by Angelo “keznit” Mori, who showcased his skills with Neon, KRÜ secured an 8-4 lead in the first half and held on to win 13-11, putting Fnatic on the back foot.

Map 2: Haven – Fnatic responded with a unique team composition featuring Iso and Yoru. Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev played a crucial role, securing three 3Ks as Yoru, which allowed Fnatic to dominate and win the map, tying the series.

Map 3: Lotus – In the final map, Derke continued his stellar performance, this time on Raze, leading Fnatic to a 13-9 victory. His KDA of 30/11/5, along with five first-bloods, sealed the reverse sweep and Fnatic’s place in the playoffs as the second seed from Group A. KRÜ Esports, despite their early promise, were eliminated from the tournament, marking another disappointing end to their VALORANT Champions campaign.

With Day 9’s matches concluding, the stage is set for even more intense competition in the playoffs. Sentinels’ resurgence and Fnatic’s dramatic comeback highlight the unpredictable nature of VALORANT Champions 2024. As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly await to see which team will ultimately rise to claim the coveted title.