Peacemaker analyzed FURIA Esports after IEM Rio 2026, focusing on whether the team actually improved after their strong finish in late 2025 and sudden collapse at the start of 2026. He explained that their main issues were a predictable map pool, weaker impact from star players like YEKINDAR and molodoy, and opponents fully figuring out their system. Even though FURIA had time to reset before Rio, the big question was whether they could return to their previous level.
At Rio, FURIA showed clear signs of progress. They beat Passion UA convincingly, made an impressive comeback against Natus Vincere after a disastrous Mirage, and secured playoffs with strong mental resilience—especially on Nuke, where they recovered from a 9:3 deficit. Their Dust2 remained reliable, Mirage looked improved, and the team seemed far more composed under pressure, proving they still had the mentality of a top team.
However, the semifinal loss to Team Vitality exposed the same old problems. Right before the match, Gabriel Toledo announced his retirement plans, creating an emotional atmosphere that clearly affected the team. Molodoy had one of his weakest stage performances, FURIA made questionable tactical decisions, and once again they failed to beat elite teams when it mattered most. Peacemaker believes they improved, but not enough—unless their stars return to form and the map pool becomes stronger, roster changes could still happen later in 2026.
