The second day of the Swiss stage at ESL Pro League Season 22 turned into one of the most thrilling in the current season. Several key matchups reshaped the race for Stage 2: Spirit continued their dominant march forward, Vitality regained their status as title contenders after a shaky start, G2 reminded everyone of their championship potential, and 3DMAX pulled off a massive upset by defeating the legendary FaZe Clan.
Spirit 2:0 HOTU — Zweih and donk lead the charge
The Russian organization Spirit once again proved their championship credentials with a second consecutive Swiss Stage victory. This time, they crushed HOTU, who came into the match on a six-series win streak — but that momentum evaporated fast against the Dragons: 2:0 (13:7 Overpass, 13:6 Dust2).
- Overpass — tactical precision and control
On their opponent’s pick, Spirit looked flawless. From the very first rounds, it was clear that zweih was in phenomenal form — not only winning duels but dictating the game’s rhythm. His numbers speak volumes: 36–22 K-D, 106.7 ADR, 1.67 rating.
donk and sh1ro provided stability in key moments, while chopper’s leadership ensured smooth coordination. After a dominant 9–3 half, Spirit closed out the map comfortably at 13–7.
- Dust2 — cementing their dominance
The second map was complete control from start to finish. Spirit’s attacks were crisp and their defense nearly unbreakable, while HOTU failed to win a single retake. With both donk and sh1ro posting ratings above 1.20, Spirit sealed a clean 13–6 victory, improving their record to 2–0 and confirming their status as one of the most consistent teams of the tournament.
Vitality 2:0 GamerLegion — ZywOo back in beast mode
After an unexpected loss to Gentle Mates in the opening round, Vitality responded in the most convincing fashion possible. Their series against GamerLegion was a masterclass in dominance: 2:0 (13:3 Overpass, 13:1 Dust2).
- Overpass — total control
From the very beginning, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut took over. His numbers — 40–13 K-D, 132.8 ADR, 1.92 rating — were not just MVP-worthy, they were superstar-level. His AWP precision and lightning-fast decisions gave Vitality a 9–3 halftime lead, and they never looked back.
- Dust2 — pure destruction
The second map lasted under twenty minutes. GamerLegion managed to take only one round as Vitality dominated every engagement. flameZ, ropz, and mezii maintained perfect consistency, while apEX kept the team coordinated and composed. Final score — 13–1. The French organization didn’t just win; they restored their psychological balance. With a 1–1 record, Vitality are firmly back in contention for Stage 2 advancement.
G2 2:0 FURIA — cold execution and composure
For G2 Esports, this day marked a return to control. After a tough loss to Gentle Mates, they responded with discipline and precision, taking down FURIA 2:0 (13:11 Train, 13:8 Dust2).
- Train — balance between teamwork and firepower
The opening map was one of the closest battles of the day. Both teams traded rounds throughout, but Matúš “MATYS” Šimko made the difference when it mattered most. His 39–28 K-D, 90 ADR, 1.47 rating led G2 through two decisive clutch rounds alongside SunPayus, securing the map 13–11.
- Dust2 — composed finish
G2 carried their momentum into the second map, shutting down FURIA’s aggressive playstyle. HeavyGod and huNter- held the defense solidly, while malbsMd delivered key clutch rounds. FURIA couldn’t find their rhythm, and G2 closed the map 13–8. The victory brought G2 back to an even 1–1 record, while FURIA’s three-match win streak came to an end.
3DMAX 2:0 FaZe — a historic triumph for French CS
The biggest story of the day was 3DMAX defeating FaZe Clan in stunning fashion. The French lineup shocked the world with a 2:0 (13:9 Train, 13:11 Dust2) victory, pushing FaZe to the brink of elimination.
- Train — Maka’s fiery performance
On Train, 3DMAX showed no hesitation. Bryan “Maka” Canda delivered a sensational performance: 42–25 K-D, 94.2 ADR, 1.42 rating. His aggressive AWPing and fearless pushes around Ivy dismantled FaZe’s structure. After a 6–6 first half, 3DMAX won three crucial rounds in a row and closed it 13–9.
- Dust2 — sealing the upset
FaZe tried to respond on their own pick but couldn’t stabilize. Twistzz and frozen kept fighting, yet Graviti, Lucky, and Ex3rcice outplayed them in key retakes and clutch moments. The map ended 13–11, marking one of the biggest upsets of the event. For FaZe, it’s their second straight defeat — now sitting at 0–2, their playoff hopes hang by a thread.
The broader picture — shifting balance after Day 2
After the second Swiss round, the tournament landscape looks drastically different:
- Falcons, Spirit, G2 and MOUZ — remain unbeaten at 2–0, one win away from Stage 2.
- Vitality, Aurora, 3DMAX, — bounce back with crucial victories.
- FaZe, HOTU, GamerLegion, and Astralis — are now under pressure, with elimination matches ahead.
Each matchup today carried heavy implications — not only for the standings but also for team morale. Some reinforced their contender status, while others learned that big names alone no longer guarantee results in the CS2 era.
The second day of ESL Pro League Season 22 perfectly reflected the nature of modern Counter-Strike 2 — dynamic, unpredictable, and highly competitive.
Spirit continue to impress with consistency, Vitality look rejuvenated, G2 are regaining their control, and 3DMAX have proven that even tier-two squads can rewrite the competitive narrative.
As the third round approaches, the stakes are higher than ever. The next matches will determine the first teams to advance to Stage 2 — and the first to fall.
