The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Rio 2024 brought the best Counter-Strike 2 action to the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, with top-tier teams battling it out for supremacy and a share of the $250,000 prize pool. This year’s tournament did not disappoint, offering thrilling comebacks, tactical masterclasses, and nail-biting finishes. Let’s take a look at how IEM Rio 2024 played out day by day, from the group stages to the spectacular Best of Five Grand Final.
The tournament featured 16 of the best CS2 teams from around the world. Headlining the invites were four of the top five global teams: G2, NAVI, Vitality, and MOUZ. This event also marked the end of the Louvre Agreement’s partner invites, setting the stage for Valve’s new competitive structure in 2025. Fans were treated to intense action with ESL’s classic GSL format, which saw the first matches played as Best of Ones, while all subsequent matches were Best of Threes.
The group stage at IEM Rio 2024 set the tone for a thrilling week. While NAVI and G2 established their supremacy early on, MOUZ and FURIA stunned fans with outstanding performances. MOUZ, in particular, advanced to the playoffs following a hard-fought group stage, while FURIA thrilled their home crowd with a series of clutch wins.
The GSL format resulted in intense matchups, with several surprise eliminations, including G2, who couldn’t make it out of their group despite being tournament favorites. Vitality also faced stiff competition but managed to scrape through to the playoffs, setting the stage for some highly anticipated matchups.
Playoffs: The Rise of MOUZ and NAVI’s Comeback Kings
The playoffs kicked off on October 9 with a single-elimination bracket. The quarterfinals saw MOUZ face off against FURIA, the Brazilian favorites. While FURIA opened the match with a pistol round win on their pick of Nuke, MOUZ responded by denying them a conversion, winning three rounds in a row thanks to a well-timed force-buy.
MOUZ dominated the series with a convincing 13-3 score on both Nuke and Mirage, securing their place in the semifinals. The triumph was a clear show of intent, especially after their tight loss to FURIA in the group stages. MOUZ’s top player frozen was key to their victory, consistently putting up big numbers when it mattered the most.
In the other quarterfinals, NAVI displayed their championship pedigree, overcoming HEROIC in a thrilling BO3 series. The series started with HEROIC taking a surprising lead on Ancient, winning 13-9, with stavn leading the charge. However, NAVI regrouped and staged a sensational comeback on Dust 2, taking the map in overtime. Mirage, a long-time favorite of NAVI, saw the Ukrainian roster comfortably close out the series and book their spot in the Grand Finals.
Semifinals: The Clash of Titans
The semifinals were filled with jaw-dropping plays and some of the finest Counter-Strike seen all year. NAVI faced off against HEROIC, and despite a strong start by the Danish squad on Ancient, NAVI managed to take control of the series with Aleksib’s tactical genius shining through on Dust 2 and Mirage. NAVI’s w0nderful and iM were the standout performers, with iM picking up crucial multi-kills that turned the tides in NAVI’s favor.
Meanwhile, MOUZ dismantled FURIA in the second semifinal with an equally dominating performance. FURIA secured both pistol rounds in the series but were unable to convert these into substantial leads, allowing MOUZ to steamroll through with a 13-3 scoreline on both maps. This set up an epic BO5 between NAVI and MOUZ, marking their first clash since the IEM Cologne semi-finals earlier this year.
Grand Finals: NAVI’s Glorious Comeback Victory
The IEM Rio 2024 Grand Final will go down in history as one of the most intense and exciting matches ever played. NAVI and MOUZ faced off in a BO5 series, with NAVI rapidly establishing a 2-0 lead with decisive wins on Inferno and Dust 2. On Dust 2, NAVI defeated MOUZ 13-2 in one of the tournament’s most one-sided maps.
However, MOUZ refused to back down. On Mirage, they displayed exceptional resilience, pulling off a 13-6 victory to stay alive in the series. Then came Ancient, where MOUZ looked set to force a decider on Nuke, as they raced to a commanding 10-2 lead on the CT side. Yet, in a turn of events that no one could have predicted, NAVI mounted an extraordinary eight-round comeback, taking the map 13-11 and winning the series 3-1.
MVP Award and NAVI’s Dominance
After the dust had settled, NAVI claimed the IEM Rio 2024 trophy, marking their sixth consecutive grand final appearance. Mihai “iM” Ivan, NAVI’s star player throughout the competition, received the MVP title for his great performance in the grand finals. His significant contribution to NAVI’s map wins, as well as his ability to step up in high-pressure situations, earned him the coveted honor.
HIM 🇷🇴🏅@iMeCSGO grabs HLTV and @1xBet_Esports MVP for IEM Rio 2024 for his impact in NAVI's round and map wins pic.twitter.com/NpoxZpJ7VH
— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) October 13, 2024
This win adds another chapter to NAVI’s ongoing legacy as one of the best CS2 teams in the world. It also marks a triumphant moment for iM, who had come close to winning the MVP award at both the BLAST.tv Paris Major and IEM Cologne 2024. His rise to prominence in 2024 has cemented his status as one of the game’s top players.
IEM Rio 2024 was a thrilling spectacle from start to finish, with some of the best teams in the world delivering unforgettable performances. NAVI’s victory over MOUZ in the grand final showcased the team’s incredible resilience and ability to perform under pressure. With the introduction of the Best of Five Grand Finals format and the highly competitive nature of the tournament, IEM Rio 2024 will be remembered as one of the highlights of the competitive CS2 calendar.
