The quarter-final of PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 ended without a major upset as Vitality defeated Aurora 2–0, extending their winning streak to eight consecutive matches. The French-led European squad controlled the series from start to finish, with Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut once again proving why he remains one of the most impactful players in the world. Aurora tried to impose their pace, but the difference in tempo, individual form, and late-round decision-making ultimately separated the two sides.
Road to the playoffs — how they got here
Vitality’s run before the quarter-final:
- 2–1 vs G2
- 2–0 vs MOUZ
- 2–1 vs The MongolZ
Vitality did not look flawless at the start of the event, but their level steadily increased as the tournament progressed. The victory over MOUZ provided a strong confidence boost, while the win against The MongolZ highlighted their ability to close tight maps through discipline and composure. They entered the playoffs riding a seven-match winning streak, showing stability across all roles.
Aurora’s run before the quarter-final:
- 2–0 vs Astralis
- 2–1 vs paiN
- 1–2 vs FUT
- 2–0 vs B8
- 1–2 vs NAVI
Aurora’s path was more turbulent. After a painful loss to FUT, they regrouped and convincingly defeated B8 in a decisive series. XANTARES maintained solid form throughout the group stage, but the team often lacked the finishing touch against elite opposition. Facing Vitality in the quarter-final represented their toughest challenge of the event.
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Vitality 2–0 Aurora
Inferno — structure and control (13–8)
Aurora selected Inferno, but from the opening rounds it became clear that Vitality were well-prepared. apEX varied the defensive tempo intelligently, while flameZ consistently found opening kills on Banana. ZywOo delivered a standout performance, finishing the series with a 1.66 rating, 103.8 ADR, and a 44–20 K-D. His mid-round re-peeks repeatedly broke Aurora’s economy and halted their momentum.
Aurora managed only eight rounds, most coming from individual flashes of brilliance by XANTARES, but they struggled to systematically counter Vitality’s rotations and spacing. The psychological edge firmly shifted toward the favorites.
Overpass — closing with authority (13–10)
On their own pick, Vitality looked even more composed. Their T-side was structured and methodical: connector control, isolated A-site executions, and clean late-round trading. flameZ (39–27, 1.51 rating) was instrumental, consistently winning entry duels. ropz added clutch stability, while mezii contributed significant unseen value through utility and positioning.
Aurora stayed competitive until ten rounds, but in key moments they lacked composure. MAJ3R and woxic were unable to consistently disrupt Vitality’s economy, and soulfly often found himself isolated in retake scenarios. Vitality closed Overpass 13–10 to secure the 2–0 series victory.
Match statistics
Player of the Match — Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
Across two maps:
- 44–20 K-D
- +4.77% swing
- 103.8 ADR
- 75.0% KAST
- 1.66 rating
Beyond the numbers, ZywOo dictated the pace in critical rounds, particularly on Inferno.
Team dynamics — the difference in level
Aurora showed structure and discipline, but against a team of Vitality’s caliber, that alone was not enough. The French side played faster, cleaner, and more decisive in crucial rounds. apEX continues to demonstrate confident leadership, ropz provides composure, flameZ is in excellent form, and ZywOo remains an MVP-level force. Aurora proved they can compete, but they are not yet ready to consistently close series against the world’s No.1 team.
VRS impact
- Vitality: +15 points (2011 → 2026)
- Aurora: −5 points (1746 → 1741)
Vitality consolidate their position at the top of the world ranking, while Aurora remain in the top ten but lose valuable ground.
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What’s next?
Vitality advance to the semi-finals of PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 on an eight-match winning streak and increasingly look like the tournament favorites. Their form is peaking at exactly the right moment. Aurora’s playoff run ends in the quarter-finals. The team showed progress, but this match was a reminder: to beat the best, it is not enough to stay close — you must win the decisive rounds. In Cluj, Vitality are not just winning. They are controlling the tournament.
