The Shanghai Major Opening Stage has concluded, delivering breathtaking matches, shocking eliminations, and triumphant performances. With 24 teams competing for glory, the event lived up to its reputation as one of the most competitive stages in CS2 history. Among the chaos, one team emerged as the undisputed leader: The MongolZ, who dominated the leaderboard with remarkable statistics and gameplay that left fans and analysts in awe.
The MongolZ’s roster emerged as a powerhouse, with four of their players achieving the highest individual ratings in the stage. Their success was no fluke; their stats reflect a team firing on all cylinders.
Top MongolZ Players:
- Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold: 1.63 rating (highest in the tournament so far)
- Ayush “mzinho” Batbold: 1.56 rating
- Sodbayar “Techno4K” Munkhbold: 1.54 rating
- Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch: 1.54 rating
These stellar performances, complemented by exceptional teamwork, left their opponents struggling to keep up. Even among players outside the MongolZ, only Felipe “insani” Yuji of MIBR came close, with a 1.45 rating across eight maps.
🇲🇳 The MongolZ regain a place among the world's top ten ranked teams after a strong start to the Shanghai Major
Full HLTV rankings by @1xBet_Esports:https://t.co/4azyaLsRjI pic.twitter.com/IxscmhuQmL
— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) December 2, 2024
Key Statistics Beyond Ratings
While individual ratings are a compelling metric, The MongolZ excelled across multiple areas, including clutch situations, headshot percentages, and utility usage. Their coordinated strategies and aggressive executions disrupted the plans of even the most prepared teams.
- Utility Efficiency: The MongolZ’s flash assists and HE grenade damage were among the best in the tournament.
- Clutch Wins: A staggering 85% success rate in 1v2 or better scenarios.
These stats further underline why The MongolZ are considered a formidable contender for the next stages.
Surprising Eliminations and Dark Horses
The Opening Stage wasn’t just a stage for triumphs—it also became the graveyard for some top-tier teams.
Teams Advancing to the Elimination Stage:
- The MongolZ: 3 W – 0 L
- Team Liquid: 3 W – 0 L
- GamerLegion: 3 W – 1 L
- FURIA Esports: 3 W – 1 L
- PaiN Gaming: 3 W – 1 L
- Wildcard: 3 W – 2 L
- BIG: 3 W – 2 L
- MIBR: 3 W – 2 L
WE DID IT! – TWICE! 🔥
WE’VE REACHED THE ELIMINATION STAGE! – AGAIN! 💙 pic.twitter.com/HAZxyXX6oy
— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) December 3, 2024
Teams Eliminated:
- FlyQuest: 2 W – 3 L
- Passion UA: 2 W – 3 L
- Complexity: 2 W – 3 L
- Virtus.pro: 1 W – 3 L
- Cloud9: 1 W – 3 L
- Rare Atom: 1 W – 3 L
- Imperial Esports: 0 W – 3 L
- Fnatic: 0 W – 3 L
Unexpected Losses
- Cloud9: Entered as one of the favorites but faltered due to inconsistent performances.
- Virtus.pro: Despite their rich history, they failed to adapt to the fast-paced meta.
- Fnatic and Imperial Esports: Both teams finished without a single win, raising questions about their current form.
- Complexity: A solid team on paper, their inconsistency led to a devastating 2-3 record.
- For FlyQuest and Passion UA, the eliminations were especially painful, as both teams started strong but faltered in crucial matches. FlyQuest, in particular, lost three consecutive matches after a promising 2-0 start.
Dark Horse Performances
Teams like Wildcard and BIG surprised fans by making it through despite shaky starts. Wildcard, in particular, showcased resilience, bouncing back after losing to The MongolZ to secure critical wins.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA 🙌
We beat @PassionuaGG in a hell of a match and qualify for the elimination stage ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tgh9yX9hIY
— Wildcard (@Wildcard_GG) December 3, 2024
Brazilian Resurgence: Three Teams Advance
Brazilian Counter-Strike enjoyed a significant moment with FURIA Esports, PaiN Gaming, and MIBR all qualifying for the next stage. This marks the second time in 2024 that three Brazilian teams have reached the Top 16 of a Major.
Brazilian Team Highlights:
- FURIA Esports: Known for their aggressive style, FURIA showcased excellent mid-round calls and sharp aim, securing a 3-1 record.
- PaiN Gaming: Under the leadership of Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt, PaiN turned a turbulent 2023 into a successful 2024 campaign. Their ability to grind out difficult matches impressed fans and analysts alike.
- MIBR: Their standout player, Felipe “insani” Yuji, delivered one of the best individual performances of the stage, with a 1.45 rating across eight maps.
Brutal. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/2XrMJQ0NyS
— MADE IN BRAZIL. (@MIBR) December 3, 2024
Brazil’s strong showing underscores the depth of talent in the region and positions them as contenders for a deep playoff run.
What’s Next: The Elimination Stage
The stakes are higher than ever as 16 teams move on to the Elimination Stage, where the competition intensifies. The opening matches are as follows:
Elimination Stage Matches:
- G2 Esports vs. The MongolZ
- Natus Vincere vs. Team Liquid
- Team Vitality vs. GamerLegion
- Team Spirit vs. FURIA Esports
- MOUZ vs. PaiN Gaming
- FaZe Clan vs. Wildcard
- HEROIC vs. BIG
- 3DMAX vs. MIBR
While the top-ranked teams like G2 Esports and Natus Vincere are favored, The MongolZ and Team Liquid have the momentum to cause upsets. Their performances in the Opening Stage suggest they are more than capable of taking down giants.
On the other hand, teams like 3DMAX and MIBR may have relatively easier opening matches, positioning them well for a deep run.
The Shanghai Major Opening Stage has set the tone for what promises to be a legendary tournament. With underdogs proving their worth and giants preparing for the Elimination Stage, the next phase is bound to be even more intense. The MongolZ have captured the imagination of fans, but with heavyweights like G2 Esports, Natus Vincere, and Team Vitality waiting, their path to the playoffs will be far from easy.
As the action continues, the world will be watching. Stay tuned for more updates as the road to glory in Shanghai unfolds.
