G2 stunned 100 Thieves 2-0 while Vitality outlasted Nongshim RedForce in the Valorant Champions 2026 Shanghai Upper Bracket quarter-finals.
G2 and Vitality join NRG and LOUD in the Upper Bracket, while 100T and Nongshim join Paper Rex and T1 in the Lower Bracket in Shanghai.
Free-flowing G2 gets revenge on 100 Thieves
For the most part, G2 has infamously underperformed at the international level. That inability to recreate their domestic dominance in international events seemed to have broken the roster, especially after failing to make it out of the EWC groups.
However, in breaking, G2 seemingly has found a new confidence, free of the fear of failure that so often cost G2 when matches got tight, and players had to step up.
Matched up against 100 Thieves in the quarter-finals, G2 faced a roster on a different path than they were. A team that had broken through a ceiling, winning EWC and VCT Americas Stage 2, riding a wave of confidence. Crucially, 100T had beaten G2 in Americas Stage 2, a moment that seemed symbolic of G2’s domestic dominance breaking.
But now that G2 had cast away the burdens of having to succeed in the moment, they seem to have found a way to do so, playing some of their best Valorant in a 2-0 victory over heavy favorites, 100T.
G2 demolished 100T on their pick of Abyss 13-5, as Nathan ‘leaf’ Orf and Trent ‘trent’ Cairns shone for G2 in 19/11/6 and 18/9/2 scorelines, respectively.
In 100T’s pick of Ascent, the match was far closer, but that in itself embodied the difference in G2 that we’re seeing in Shanghai. Several setbacks occurred along the way, but G2 kept their composure in tight moments far better than their regional rivals, leading to a 13-11 scoreline as they outclutched 100T.
Vitality adapt to overcome Nongshim at Valorant Champions
The only VCT Pacific team left in the Upper Bracket vs the only VCT EMEA team left in the competition entirely, Vitality faced Nongshim RedForce in the final Upper Bracket quarter-final.
Map 1 of Split saw Nongshim start a pattern that would last the series, winning the second-round force buy to start the ball rolling in a 7-5 half.
Vitality managed to convert the second pistol, losing only one round in the second half of play in a dominant Defence that saw Nikita ‘Derke’ Sirmitev record 280 ACS on that side of the map as Vitality raced to a 13-6 victory on Split.
Map 2 was the reverse, as Nongshim could hardly have been more in control on Abyss. Managing only four rounds on Defence, Vitality were on the ropes at the half and were thoroughly knocked out by Nongshim, who posted a flawless half, delivering three textbook retakes to take the map 13-4.
On Haven, Nongshim lost the pistol and conversion, but made a five-round run in the middle of the half to take a 7-5 lead going into their Defence.
After winning the last round of the first half, Vitality again dominated the pistol round to set up a platform on their Attack side on the three-sited map.
Vitality were seemingly taking control of the half, but Nongshim decided to take away Vitality’s comfort, pushing every available angle, and equaling the contest 9-9. A dropped Spike later, and they were in the lead.
It was now up to Vitality to adjust, and adjust they did as Elias ‘Jamppi’ Olkkonen delivered Vitality map and series point in a 1v1 clutch at 11-11, but the next round another retake saw Nongshim find the frags to force overtime.
Could Vitality keep their composure after losing match point? They needed the experience of Derke to do so, as he roared into the A site to claim Vitality their second match point.
Vitality finally converted the map and the series as Timofey ‘Chronicle’ Khromov’s experience now shone in a scintillating display of individual skill to advance Vitality to the Upper Semi.
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Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
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