{"id":365728,"date":"2026-03-07T16:17:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T16:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/?p=365728"},"modified":"2026-03-07T16:18:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T16:18:22","slug":"pain-vs-faze-epl-season-23-stage-2-result","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/pain-vs-faze-epl-season-23-stage-2-result","title":{"rendered":"nqz leads paiN upset over FaZe in EPL Season 23 Stage 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

paiN Gaming secured a crucial 2\u20131 victory over FaZe in the second Swiss round of ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2, bouncing back after a difficult opening match. The Brazilian squad recovered after losing Dust2 and eventually closed the series on Mirage, moving to a 1\u20131 record in the Swiss stage. For FaZe, the defeat deepens an already worrying run of results and sends the European squad to the 0\u20132 bracket, where they now face elimination pressure.<\/p>\n

Path through the tournament<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Both teams entered the match in the 0\u20131 bracket of the Swiss stage.<\/p>\n

Earlier in Stage 2, FaZe suffered a 0\u20132 defeat against G2, placing immediate pressure on the roster. The loss against paiN now pushes them into a dangerous 0\u20132 position, where their next match will determine whether they remain in the tournament.<\/p>\n

paiN, meanwhile, also started the stage with a defeat after falling 0\u20132 to The MongolZ. The victory over FaZe therefore becomes a crucial recovery, moving the Brazilian squad to a 1\u20131 record and keeping their playoff hopes alive.<\/p>\n\n

\n

read more<\/h3>\n
\n
\n \n
<\/div>\n \n \"B8\n <\/picture>\n <\/a>\n
\n
\n B8 sensationally defeat FURIA \u2014 ESL Pro League S23<\/a>\n \n
\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n <\/a><\/div>\n
\n
Mar 07<\/div>\n News<\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Nuke \u2014 paiN strike first (16\u201313)<\/h3>\n

The series opened on Nuke, picked by paiN, and the Brazilian side immediately showed confidence. Early rounds were highly competitive, with both teams trading momentum as frozen and Twistzz found important entries for FaZe. However, paiN gradually took control thanks to consistent pressure from nqz and biguzera, who repeatedly cracked open FaZe\u2019s defenses.<\/p>\n

Several late-round executes from paiN proved decisive, allowing the Brazilian team to close the map 16\u201313 and take the early series lead.<\/p>\n

Dust2 \u2014 FaZe respond (16\u201313)<\/h3>\n

FaZe answered back on Dust2, their map pick, delivering a much more structured performance. The European side looked far more comfortable on the map, with frozen leading the server and broky providing key AWP impact in several rounds. FaZe built momentum during the mid-game and managed to control the tempo of the map.<\/p>\n

Despite strong resistance from nqz, FaZe held their nerve in the closing rounds and secured Dust2 16\u201313, leveling the series.<\/p>\n

Mirage \u2014 paiN close the series (13\u20135)<\/h3>\n

The deciding map Mirage quickly turned into a one-sided affair. paiN\u2019s aggressive setups and confident mid control repeatedly caught FaZe off guard. nqz continued his outstanding performance, consistently finding opening kills and maintaining pressure across the map.<\/p>\n

FaZe struggled to gain any real control and failed to string together rounds. paiN capitalized on the momentum and comfortably closed the map 13\u20135, sealing the 2\u20131 series victory.<\/p>\n

Match statistics<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Player of the Match \u2014 Lucas \u201cnqz\u201d Soares<\/h3>\n

\"\u201cThe<\/p>\n

Across three maps:<\/p>\n