The FISSURE Playground 2 semifinal brought a highly anticipated clash between The MongolZ and Team Liquid. Both teams entered the match in strong form, but it was the Mongolian squad that proved their favorite status, taking a 2:1 victory and securing a spot in the tournament final.
Match Chronology
- Dust2 (13:3, Liquid’s pick)
Liquid started the series on their own pick, but from the very first rounds it became clear that this gave them no advantage. The MongolZ dominated both in firepower and tactical execution. Mzinho and Blitz shut down key areas with confidence, leaving no room for Liquid to find their rhythm. The first half ended 11:1, and the final score of 13:3 was a heavy blow to Liquid.
- Mirage (13:5, The MongolZ’s pick)
On their own pick, The MongolZ looked set to close out the series in two maps, but this time Liquid fought back. They even led at halftime (7:5), thanks to Twistzz’s clutch plays and NAF’s stability. However, after the side switch everything changed. NertZ and ultimate dismantled the MongolZ defense, and Liquid strung together eight consecutive rounds to take the map 13:5 and tie the series.
- Ancient (13:5, decider)
The semifinal came down to Ancient, where The MongolZ displayed their true class. Mzinho was unstoppable in duels, racking up 52 kills across three maps, while 910 and Senzu kept the pace with effective support. Liquid relied heavily on NAF to keep them in the game, but the overall level of The MongolZ was simply too much. The final score of 13:5 sealed the series 2:1 in favor of the Mongolian team.
Player statistics for the match
Match Best Player
The star of the semifinal was Ayush “mzinho” Batbold, who delivered one of the best performances of his career and embodied The MongolZ’s confidence throughout the series:
- K-D: 52–31 (+21)
- ADR: 106.3
- Rating 3.0: 1.54
But raw numbers alone don’t capture the scale of his impact. Mzinho consistently opened space for his team with aggressive entries while staying calm in clutch situations. His string of entry kills on Dust2 crushed Liquid’s hopes early, and his composure on Ancient ensured a comfortable map closure. His performance was the foundation of The MongolZ’s victory and their ticket to the final.
Team Performances
The MongolZ — The team showed a mature, disciplined approach. Blitz was the brain behind their attacks, 910 and Senzu provided stability, and Techno stepped up in key rounds. Altogether, they proved they are legitimate contenders for the championship.
Liquid — The North American squad looked shaky. NAF (38–36, rating 1.20) did his best to carry, and Twistzz had his moments in clutches, but ultimate and siuhy failed to deliver the level needed to beat The MongolZ. This marked Liquid’s ninth loss to the Mongolian side in their last eleven meetings, underlining the persistent struggles in this matchup.
Head-to-Head History
This semifinal reaffirmed an existing trend: The MongolZ dominate Liquid. Out of the last 11 maps played, The MongolZ have won 9, while Liquid managed only 2.
It’s not just the numbers but the nature of these wins — The MongolZ have consistently outclassed Liquid both individually and tactically, forcing them to adapt and rarely allowing them any control. Only occasionally has Liquid been able to find cracks in The MongolZ’s defense, and usually on less decisive maps. Thus, this series became another chapter in the story of The MongolZ confirming their status as Liquid’s most difficult and nearly unbeatable opponent on the big stage.
The MongolZ secure a 2:1 victory and advance to the FISSURE Playground 2 Grand Final, where they will battle for the championship. Their dominant play on Dust2 and Ancient showcased the kind of strength that can break any opponent.
Liquid, meanwhile, stop at the semifinal stage, once again falling short against the Mongolian side. For them, this is a clear signal that they need to rethink their approach to big matches and find stability if they want to remain competitive on the international stage.
