Aurora defeated NRG 2:0 in the Upper Bracket Semi-final of StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 and advanced to the Upper Bracket Final. Aurora controlled Cache 13:7 before surviving overtime on Mirage 19:17.
AURORA STOPPED THE NRG RUN IN TWO MAPS
- Cache (NRG pick) — NRG 7:13 Aurora
- Mirage (Aurora pick) — NRG 17:19 Aurora
NRG started the series on their own Cache pick, but Aurora took a 7:5 advantage into halftime. After the side switch, Aurora allowed only two more rounds and closed the opening map 13:7.
Mirage was much closer. The teams split both halves 6:6 and entered overtime at 12:12. NRG kept the map competitive deep into the extra rounds, but Aurora eventually won the overtime 7:5 to finish Mirage 19:17 and avoid a third map.
Nuke was left as the decider in the veto but was not played after Aurora closed the series 2:0.
Player of the Match — Ismailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş
- K–D: 43–28
- ADR: 102.1
- KAST: 72.7%
- Rating 3.0: 1.50
XANTARES was comfortably the highest-rated player of the series and the only player to finish above a 1.20 Rating 3.0. He also recorded the highest ADR in the match at 102.1.
Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo followed with a 1.19 rating and 29–25 K–D. Michael “Grim” Wince was the best performer for NRG with 31–33 K–D, 76.6 ADR and a 1.09 Rating 3.0.
Wicadia is absolutely DELETING heads pic.twitter.com/639QCEfXVA
— StarLadder CS2 (@StarLadder_CS) September 18, 2026
VRS results
- Aurora — +28 pt → 1,603 pt, #10 → #9
- NRG — -4 pt → 1,275 pt, #35 → #37
Aurora gained 28 points and moved into the VRS top nine following their second victory in Barcelona. NRG lost only four points, but dropped two positions to #37.
What’s next?
Aurora will play the winner of Vitality vs FURIA in the Upper Bracket Final on September 19 at 17:00 CET. A victory there would send them directly to the Grand Final.
NRG drop to the Lower Bracket Semi-final, where they will face MIBR on September 19 at 12:00 CET. The loser will be eliminated from StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026.
