Natus Vincere secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over PARIVISION in the Group A upper bracket quarter-final at IEM Kraków 2026, surviving a tense three-map series to move deeper into the group stage. The match tested NAVI’s composure and depth, with the Ukrainian organization responding strongly after dropping their opponent’s map pick. For NAVI, the win reinforced their ability to close under pressure. For PARIVISION, it was a reminder that small execution gaps still matter at the highest LAN level.
Road to the matchup — stability versus momentum
PARIVISION entered Kraków riding strong momentum, including a seven-match win streak and a reputation for aggressive, proactive Counter-Strike. Their recent results against top-tier opponents suggested they were ready to challenge elite teams on LAN, and this series represented a major benchmark for their project.
For NAVI, the series was another step in evaluating their evolving roster under tournament pressure. With new roles settling in and expectations high, the upper bracket opener was an important opportunity to assert structure and composure early in the event.
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Dust2 — 13:11. NAVI survive PARIVISION’s aggression
Dust2, picked by PARIVISION, delivered a closely contested opener. PARIVISION applied constant pressure, finding mid-round openings and pushing NAVI into uncomfortable fights. However, NAVI stayed disciplined in key moments, limiting economic damage and converting crucial late-round situations. Despite PARIVISION’s initiative, NAVI edged out a 13:11 win through stronger trading and cleaner post-plant decisions.
Anubis — 16:19. PARIVISION strike back
On NAVI’s pick, PARIVISION responded with their most convincing map of the series. Their T-side pressure repeatedly broke open bombsites, forcing NAVI into reactive play. The map extended deep into overtime, where PARIVISION showed composure and decisiveness to close Anubis 19:16. The result shifted momentum and pushed the series into a decisive third map.
Ancient — 13:5. NAVI shut the door
Ancient proved to be a one-sided decider. NAVI dominated from the opening rounds, winning early duels and denying PARIVISION any room to establish control. Their CT-side setups were tight, rotations timely, and mid-round reads decisive. PARIVISION struggled to recover economically or tactically, as NAVI cruised to a commanding 13:5 finish to close the series.
Player of the match — Drin “makazze” Shaqiri
makazze delivered a calm and impactful performance across all three maps:
- 1.12 rating
- 80.5 ADR
- 72.7% KAST
- +1.27% swing
His consistency in mid-round fights and late-round situations played a crucial role in NAVI’s ability to regain control after losing Anubis.
Post-match quote — makazze keeps it blunt
After the win, makazze summed up the difference with a sharp remark:
To someone in the other team: you should focus on killing, not shooting bodies.
The comment quickly spread across social media, encapsulating NAVI’s pragmatic approach compared to PARIVISION’s more emotional style.
Teamplay breakdown — experience over momentum
NAVI won the series through structure and restraint. They avoided unnecessary risks, punished overextensions, and consistently found value in late-round scenarios. When momentum swung against them, they reset effectively and closed the decider with authority. PARIVISION showed flashes of high-level execution, particularly on Anubis, but lacked consistency on the decider. Once denied early confidence, their game unraveled under NAVI’s pressure.
VRS impact
- Natus Vincere: +68 points — solidifying their position near the top of the rankings
- PARIVISION: −18 points — a minor setback despite a competitive showing
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Tournament implications
With this victory, Natus Vincere advance further in the Group A upper bracket at IEM Kraków 2026, keeping a clean path toward the playoffs and building confidence around their new core. PARIVISION drop to the lower bracket, where their resilience and ability to reset mentally will be tested if they are to keep their tournament run alive. NAVI move forward — composed, disciplined, and unshaken in Kraków.
