The Perfect World Shanghai Major has reached its final and most anticipated stage: the playoffs. The elimination stage delivered excitement, upsets, and dominant performances, paving the way for the best eight teams to battle for glory. The CS2 Major Championship is the second-ever event of its kind, featuring 24 of the world’s top teams competing for a share of the $1.25 million prize pool. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the teams that have earned their place in the playoffs, as well as a comprehensive look at the elimination stage results.
The Elimination Stage Recap
The elimination stage showcased fierce competition, with every team vying for survival. Among the most notable moments was Natus Vincere’s surprising exit. Despite being a powerhouse in CS2, Na’Vi fell short in critical matches. Their losses to MIBR, Team Spirit, and HEROIC sealed their fate, leaving fans in disbelief. Meanwhile, other top teams like Vitality, The MongolZ, and G2 Esports lived up to their reputations, securing playoff spots through commanding performances.
Team Vitality
Team Vitality entered the Shanghai Major as the third-best team in the world, and they did not disappoint. Their path to the playoffs was relatively straightforward, defeating GamerLegion, FURIA Esports, and MIBR with commanding performances. Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut has been in sensational form, posting a tournament-high 1.49 rating. His consistent fragging and ability to dominate clutch situations have made Vitality the favorites to win the championship.
Against GamerLegion, ZywOo delivered a spectacular 1.91 rating, going 24-9 on Mirage. Their 13-3 and 13-5 victories over MIBR further solidified their dominance. With every player on Vitality showcasing high ratings, they are the team to beat in the playoffs.
Vitality are the most well-rounded team with a great structure and should be the favorites to win it all. However, you can’t count out the power of The Mongolz in Asia, as they are looking like the best version of themselves. I have never seen them play better. Despite all this, my pick from the beginning of the event was G2 to win, based on the sheer firepower and straightforward tactics. There isn’t much to think about when you have the best fraggers in the server.
The MongolZ
The MongolZ, representing Asia, have emerged as the surprise package of the tournament. Their journey to the playoffs included wins against G2 Esports, MOUZ, and HEROIC, all of which are top-tier teams. Their resilience under pressure and the roaring support of the home crowd in Shanghai have been instrumental.
Their match against HEROIC was a testament to their fighting spirit, as they clawed their way to victory in tightly contested games. The MongolZ will look to carry this momentum into the playoffs, where tougher challenges await.
Vitality is one of the only big names that didn’t show weakness for now; let’s see if they can continue on that way against big names.
G2’s last dance can give extra power and transform pressure into hype in these types of moments, making them one of the most dangerous playoff teams.
I got MongolZ lifting the trophy; I believe that history will be made in Shanghai.
FaZe Clan
FaZe’s path to the playoffs has been anything but smooth. Known for their unpredictability, they managed to clinch a playoff spot with a dramatic victory over FURIA Esports. FaZe dominated the first half on Mirage with a 10-2 lead, but had to fend off a stunning comeback by FURIA, eventually winning in round 23. Håvard “rain” Nygaard has stepped up with critical plays, though the team’s overall form leaves much to be desired.
Despite their inconsistent run, FaZe’s history of clutch performances makes them a dangerous opponent.
Team Spirit
Team Spirit has been a revelation, with their young prodigy, donk, leading the charge. The 17-year-old sensation has been the standout player of the elimination stage, boasting a mind-blowing 1.55 rating. Spirit’s 2-1 victory over HEROIC included a memorable 1v5 clutch on Mirage by donk, solidifying his status as one of the best players in CS2.
donk’s 79 kills and 17 assists across three maps against HEROIC demonstrated his unmatched impact. Spirit’s combination of youthful exuberance and strategic gameplay makes them a formidable contender.
G2 Esports
After a surprising loss to The MongolZ in their opening match, G2 bounced back in style, crushing FaZe Clan and advancing as the third seed. NiKo and huNter have been pivotal, with the latter showcasing a remarkable 1.47 T-side rating.
Their emphatic wins over FaZe, 13-4 on Inferno and 13-3 on Mirage, underlined their potential to dominate. If G2 can maintain their aggressive playstyle, they could be strong challengers for the trophy.
PEACEMAKER:
Here we go! Playoffs, stadium, $1.2 million prize pool, and what should be the eight best teams in the world. Not really surprised with the teams that qualified—all of them have shown great qualities since the RMR and deserve to be there. Of course, it is a shame not seeing any of the Brazilian teams, especially FURIA, which came very close against FaZe. Not having NAVI as the last Major champions is also a massive surprise, which makes HEROIC’s run even more legitimate and deserved.
I am also extremely happy to see The MongolZ among the teams. I think they have built a strong foundation and play really good Counter-Strike, which is massive for a region with very few opportunities. For sure, they are the best and most consistent team ever from Asia, and now they will have their chance to prove themselves with crowd support. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they reach the Grand Finals.
To finish it off, for me, between the rest of the teams, I would say G2 and Vitality both arrive in really great shape and are the main favorites. I am also curious to see if donk from Spirit will be able to continue showing Elimination Stage performances because if so… then Team Spirit could also be really scary.
Team Liquid
Liquid’s unexpected run to the playoffs has been one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Their victory over MIBR was a turning point, showcasing their improved synergy and adaptability. Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis has been instrumental, delivering consistent ratings of 1.12 and 1.11 across stages.
While Liquid has exceeded expectations, they will need collective brilliance to survive the playoffs against stronger opponents.
MOUZ
MOUZ secured their playoff berth with a clean sweep against MIBR, demonstrating their consistency and depth.Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin stood out with 38 kills and 8 assists in their decisive victory over MIBR.
While they have been solid, MOUZ must elevate their performance to contend with the tournament’s elite teams.
HEROIC
HEROIC battled through one of the toughest brackets to claim the final playoff spot. Their resilience and tactical prowess have been commendable. Shahar “flameZ” Shushan has been a standout performer, with pivotal plays in critical matches.
HEROIC’s decisive 2-1 victory over NAVI eliminated one of the tournament’s giants and secured their place among the final eight.
Shanghai Major Playoffs Format and Matchups
The playoffs, starting on December 12, will follow a single-elimination format. Each match, including the grand final, will be a best-of-three series. The quarterfinal matchups are as follows:
- The MongolZ vs. MOUZ
- Team Liquid vs. Team Spirit
- G2 Esports vs. HEROIC
- Team Vitality vs. FaZe Clan
With the top teams in the world and a massive $1.25 million prize pool, the Perfect World Shanghai Major is more than just another competition and the second-ever CS2 Major Championship. For these eight teams, the playoffs represent the pinnacle of their competitive journey, offering not just financial rewards but also the coveted title of CS2 Major Champions.
