Perhaps even the most optimistic fans of G2 Esports (G2) could hardly have imagined that this team would eliminate Top Esports (TES) from MSI 2024 with an overwhelming score of 3-0. What’s even more noteworthy is that G2 demonstrated a completely destructive power compared to TES, leaving the LPL representative with no chance to counter. Thus, for LPL viewers, TES’s recent loss brought only great disappointment.
Not stopping there, TES also entered MSI history in a very shameful way with the aforementioned defeat. Specifically, TES is the first LPL team in the tournament’s history to fail to reach the top 4 in a MSI event. The loss to G2 left them with a 5th-6th place finish at MSI 2024.
It should be noted that before MSI changed its format in 2023, LPL representatives always advanced past the Group Stage (also known as the Play-in Stage). This ensured that their representatives consistently placed in the top 4. In fact, at MSI 2023 with the new format, the grand final was an LPL “civil war” between BLG and JDG. This highlights just how unforgettable TES’s defeat is for this region.
Therefore, immediately after the match concluded, countless criticisms targeting TES players and coaching staff emerged. Even the phrase “funny TES” referring to this team playing like “clowns” garnered 130 million views on social media platform Weibo. On the part of the audience, many demanded the unimaginable from TES: to disband the current roster due to immense disappointment.
Looking back at the recent match, it is clear that TES was outplayed by G2 in every aspect, from drafting to in-game execution. TES seemed to have not adequately researched Yike, resulting in him causing immense trouble for TES with Ivern. Moreover, G2 players showcased numerous moments of skill dominance, defeating TES with their individual prowess. Perhaps the feeling of a “total defeat” combined with this shameful milestone for TES has led to such outrage among fans.
It should be noted that right from the start of the 2024 season, there have been numerous reports regarding the current roster of TES having one of the highest salary budgets in the LPL. Clearly, with such high compensation, finishing only in the top 5 at MSI 2024 is an extremely disappointing outcome. If TES does not improve its dismal performance in the upcoming summer split, it would not be surprising if this team sets more “rock bottom” milestones in the future.