{"id":383171,"date":"2026-04-13T22:06:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/?p=383171"},"modified":"2026-04-13T22:06:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:06:29","slug":"natus-vincere-defeated-b8-in-three-maps-iem-rio-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/natus-vincere-defeated-b8-in-three-maps-iem-rio-2026","title":{"rendered":"Natus Vincere defeated B8 in three maps \u2014 IEM Rio 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first round of the group bracket often forces favorites to face an immediate test of resilience. This is especially true when, after a complete collapse at the start of a series, a team finds a way not only to come back, but to fully seize control of the match.<\/p>\n

Tournament context<\/strong><\/h2>\n

IEM Rio 2026 is played in a group stage format with double-elimination Bo3. In the opening upper-bracket matches, a win moves a team into the upper semi-finals, while a loss immediately sends it to lower round 1, where there is almost no room left for error.<\/p>\n

In Group B, one of the central matches of the opening day was the Ukrainian clash between Natus Vincere and B8. Right from the start, the series determined who would continue in the upper side of the bracket and who would be forced into survival mode.<\/p>\n\n

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\n Spirit and Falcons opened Group A with victories \u2014 IEM Rio 2026<\/a>\n \n
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Apr 13<\/div>\n News<\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How the match unfolded \u2014 Natus Vincere vs B8<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Series score: 2:1 in favor of Natus Vincere<\/p>\n

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  1. Ancient (B8\u2019s pick) \u2014 0:13
    \nThe series began with a shocking result for NAVI. B8 completely destroyed their opponent on their own pick, without giving up a single round. It was a completely one-sided map in which Natus Vincere were unable to offer even minimal resistance.<\/li>\n
  2. Inferno (Natus Vincere\u2019s pick) \u2014 13:4
    \nAfter the disastrous start, NAVI responded just as brutally. On their own choice, the team quickly leveled the series, completely outplayed B8 in tempo, and sent the match to a decider without any additional suspense on the second map.<\/li>\n
  3. Dust2 (decider) \u2014 13:5
    \nOn the deciding map, Natus Vincere were already fully in control of the situation. After the confident win on Inferno, the team did not let go of the psychological advantage and closed out the match without serious problems, taking the final two maps in a row.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Player statistics for the match \/\/ taken from HLTV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Player of the Match \u2014 Drin \u201cmakazze\u201d Shaqiri (Natus Vincere)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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    • K\u2013D: 38\u201331<\/li>\n
    • ADR: 90.2<\/li>\n
    • Rating 3.0: 1.42<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Key contribution: the best individual performance on NAVI and an important role in the complete turnaround of the series after the catastrophic Ancient.<\/p>\n