FISSURE Playground 2 kicked off with a true blockbuster: in the first round of the Swiss stage, two long-time rivals met — Brazilian FURIA and North American giants Team Liquid. The match turned out to be intense and competitive, but it was the “panthers” who managed to impose their style and secure a 2:1 victory, starting the tournament with a crucial triumph.
Match chronology
- Dust2 (13:9, Liquid’s pick)
Liquid began the series confidently, opting for Dust2. The first half ended with a slight lead for the “horses” (7:5), and in the second half their clutch experience made the difference. Twistzz and NAF firmly controlled key areas of the map, ensuring a 13:9 win for their team. It seemed Liquid had gained a psychological boost ahead of the second map.
- Inferno (13:11, FURIA’s pick)
On their own pick, FURIA looked much more composed. FalleN displayed his trademark composure with the AWP, while youngster molodoy added aggression in key moments. The first half was tight, but in the deciding rounds it was KSCERATO who stepped up, delivering a 13:11 win for FURIA and tying the series.
- Train (13:7, decider)
The final map turned into a show from the Brazilians. FURIA outplayed their opponents in the first half (7:5) and after the side switch closed the game confidently. KSCERATO was flawless, FalleN provided timely support with crucial frags, and YEKINDAR finally found impact when it mattered most. Liquid looked exhausted and failed to find answers — 13:7 and a 2:1 series win for FURIA.
Player stats for the match
Player of the match
The MVP of the series was Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato, once again proving his status as the face of Brazilian CS:
- K-D: 62–40 (+22)
- ADR: 98.6
- Rating 3.0: 1.45
His consistency, aggression in entry duels, and composure in clutch situations were the decisive factors behind FURIA’s victory.
Team performance in the match
FURIA
The Brazilians played like a well-oiled machine. FalleN (1.12 rating) was the in-game leader and key fragger, keeping the team composed. Molodoy (1.09) impressed with his confidence in high-pressure moments. YEKINDAR (0.98) wasn’t always consistent but delivered valuable contributions, especially on Train. Yuurih (0.91) took on a huge amount of support work, while KSCERATO shone as the team’s undisputed star.
Liquid
The North Americans started strong but gradually faded. Twistzz (1.32) and NAF (1.31) were the only consistent bright spots, constantly winning duels and trying to keep their team alive. However, Siuhy (0.85), Ultimate (0.85), and Nertz (0.81) struggled badly, ultimately causing the team’s collapse.
Previous encounters
Before this match, Liquid held a massive head-to-head advantage: 11 wins versus just 3 for FURIA. The North Americans had repeatedly beaten the Brazilians at major events, including the ESL Pro League and Majors. However, in London the “panthers” finally earned a loud revenge, proving they are no longer afraid of their long-time rivals.
FURIA claimed a confident 2:1 victory over Liquid, making a strong statement at FISSURE Playground 2. Their discipline, team play, and KSCERATO’s brilliance were the key ingredients to success.
For Liquid, the loss was a cold shower: despite efforts from their stars, the team looked unstable and overly dependent on individuals. They will now have to fight for survival in the Swiss stage. Meanwhile, FURIA march forward with confidence, establishing themselves as one of the early favorites of the group stage.
