Falcons confidently defeated Astralis (2:0), while Natus Vincere overcame Aurora (2:0) in the first round of the ESL Pro League Season 22 group stage. Both teams not only started with convincing victories but will also face each other tomorrow in a match that will determine who advances to the next stage of the tournament.
ESL Pro League S22
The ESL Pro League is one of the main regular tournaments of the Counter-Strike 2 season. Advancing to the next round of the group stage guarantees not only valuable ESL World Ranking (VRS) points but also a chance to reach the final stage, where major prize money and prestigious Intel Grand Slam invitations are at stake.
For Falcons, this victory is another confirmation of the stability of their new star-studded lineup, while Natus Vincere are showing strong form following their summer slump.
Falcons vs Astralis — 2:0
- Inferno (Astralis pick) — 13:8 for Falcons.
After an even start (5:7 in the first half), Falcons completely dominated on the defensive side, winning eight rounds in a row. Astralis failed to find a path to the sites even in the deciding moments. - Mirage (Falcons pick) — 13:6 for Falcons.
m0NESY and NiKo dismantled the Danes in duels, while TeSeS repeatedly punished their aggressive pushes. Map control and game tempo were entirely under the Falcons’ command.
Player of the Match — Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
- K-D: 37–20
- ADR: 102.0
- Rating 3.0: 1.75
Impact: the true leader of the series — NiKo tore through Astralis’s defense, displaying aggressive positional control and flawless accuracy. His dominance on Inferno effectively decided the outcome of the match.
Aurora vs Natus Vincere — 0:2
- Nuke (NaVi pick) — 13:9 for Natus Vincere.
Aleksib’s team demonstrated excellent synergy — b1t and makazze secured key clutches, while iM provided consistent defense. - Dust2 (Aurora pick) — 13:10 for Natus Vincere.
Despite a strong start from Aurora (8:4 in the first half), NaVi completely outplayed their opponents on defense. makazze closed the final rounds with a solo ace, confirming his outstanding form.
Player of the Match — Drin “makazze” Shaqiri
- K-D: 40–30
- ADR: 96.7
- Rating 3.0: 1.50
Impact: the main driving force behind NaVi’s success — makazze not only delivered crucial kills but also won nearly every 1v1 clutch. His stability and composure were decisive factors.
VRS Rankings After the Matches
- Falcons: +51 points (rose from #6 to #5)
- Natus Vincere: +52 points (rose from #9 to #8)
- Astralis: −6 points (dropped to #10)
- Aurora: −15 points (dropped to #9)
What’s Next for the Teams
Falcons and Natus Vincere will meet tomorrow in a 1:0 match for a slot in Round 2 of the ESL Pro League Season 22. The winner will become the group favorite and move one step closer to the playoffs.
In the lower bracket, Astralis must now fight for survival against Aurora. For the Danes, it’s a chance to restore their reputation after a rough start, while Aurora will try to break their losing streak and avoid early elimination.
