The Stage 2 Round of 16 match between Gentle Mates and Team Liquid ended with a 2–1 victory for Liquid. The series followed a swingy script: Gentle Mates capitalized on their Inferno pick, but Liquid wrestled back control on Mirage and delivered a decisive close on Nuke. For Liquid, it was a test of composure and adaptation. For Gentle Mates, a missed opportunity after a strong opening map.
Road to the matchup — a LAN ticket on the line
Gentle Mates came in aiming to impose their rhythm through Inferno. Recent results suggested they could challenge the favorite, and converting their map pick was meant to set up the series with momentum on their side.
Liquid entered with a clear objective: progress without unnecessary risk. The team leaned on experience, map-pool depth, and the ability to grow into a series—an approach that ultimately shaped the outcome.
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Inferno — 13:7. Gentle Mates convert their pick
On Inferno, Gentle Mates looked sharp. They managed timings well, won key duels, and kept Liquid’s economy under pressure. Liquid struggled to establish tempo, and a handful of lost clutches prevented a comeback. Gentle Mates closed the map 13:7 to take the early lead.
Mirage — 13:9. Liquid level the series
Mirage proved to be the turning point. Liquid seized control early, found more consistent opening engagements, and denied Gentle Mates the space needed to build attacks. Despite pockets of resistance, Liquid remained calmer and closed Mirage 13:9 to even the series.
Nuke — 13:3. Liquid dominate the decider
On the decider, the gap became clear. Liquid imposed full control from the outset, quickly broke Gentle Mates’ economy, and left no room to maneuver. Nuke ended 13:3—an emphatic final statement.
Player of the match — Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak
Liquid’s AWPer was the standout across all three maps:
- 1.25 rating
- 70.4 ADR
- 70.7% KAST
- +3.55% swing
ultimate delivered in the biggest moments, especially on Mirage and Nuke, providing Liquid with a consistent edge in crucial rounds.
Teamplay breakdown — adaptation decides
Liquid won the series through swift adaptation. After dropping Inferno, they tightened discipline, adjusted their approach, and controlled the remainder of the match. Gentle Mates showed quality early and produced strong stretches, but a lack of consistency—and a collapse on the decider—kept them from pushing the series further.
VRS impact
- Liquid: +10 points — a solid boost to their ranking position
- Gentle Mates: –10 points — a costly drop after elimination
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Tournament implications
Liquid advance and keep their LAN Finals hopes alive at BLAST Bounty 2026, reinforcing their reputation as a team that grows into high-stakes series. For Gentle Mates, the match underscored the fine margins at this stage: a strong start is not enough without stability across all three maps. Liquid move on—calm, pragmatic, and decisive.
