G2 Esports opened their IEM Kraków 2026 campaign with a confident 2–0 victory over The MongolZ in the Group A upper bracket quarter-final, delivering a controlled LAN performance to advance deeper into the group stage. Across both maps, G2 dictated the tempo, neutralized The MongolZ’s aggression, and closed the series without allowing the Mongolian side to build sustained momentum.
Road to the matchup — structure versus volatility
The MongolZ entered Kraków with a reputation for fast-paced, confidence-driven Counter-Strike and recent wins over top opposition. However, that same volatility has often punished them against teams capable of slowing the game down and denying space. Against G2, consistency and discipline were going to be decisive factors.
G2 approached the series with a clear plan: control the pace, limit chaos, and rely on structured mid-round play. With a roster built for LAN stability, the upper bracket opener represented an opportunity to assert authority early and avoid unnecessary pressure later in the group.
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Dust2 — 13:2. G2 take full control
Dust2, G2’s pick, quickly turned into a one-sided affair. G2 dominated the early rounds with sharp AWP control and disciplined spacing, repeatedly shutting down The MongolZ’s attempts to find opening duels. The Mongolian side struggled to gain long or mid presence, losing crucial early fights and falling behind economically. By halftime, the outcome felt inevitable. G2 closed Dust2 13:2 with minimal resistance, setting a commanding tone for the series.
Ancient — 13:11. Resistance, but not enough
Ancient offered more resistance from The MongolZ, who showed improved structure and found several mid-round openings. However, G2 consistently responded with cleaner utility usage and stronger late-round decisions. Every time The MongolZ threatened to level the map, G2 regained control through decisive executes and calculated aggression. Despite a closer scoreline, G2 never appeared rattled, closing Ancient 13:11 to complete the sweep.
Player statistics for the match
Player of the match — Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač
huNter- delivered a well-rounded and impactful series performance:
- 1.39 rating
- 98.5 ADR
- 79.5% KAST
- +0.95% swing
His consistency in key rounds and ability to convert advantages ensured G2 maintained control throughout both maps.
Teamplay breakdown — discipline beats explosiveness
G2 won the series through structure and composure. Their setups were disciplined, rotations timely, and mid-round calls effective. Rather than engaging in aim-heavy chaos, they forced The MongolZ into uncomfortable situations and punished overextensions.
The MongolZ, by contrast, struggled once early aggression was denied. Individual moments surfaced, but without sustained map control or economic stability, they were unable to challenge G2 over a full map.
VRS impact
- G2: +65 points — a strong early boost that strengthens their ranking position
- The MongolZ: −9 points — a minor setback following an upper bracket loss
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Tournament implications
With this win, G2 move forward in the Group A upper bracket at IEM Kraków 2026, positioning themselves well for a direct path toward the playoffs and avoiding early elimination pressure. For The MongolZ, the loss sends them into the lower bracket, where consistency and adjustment will be critical if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive. G2 start strong — controlled, confident, and firmly in command in Kraków.
