It can be said that one of the main factors contributing to the success of CS:GO is the professional CS scene. Here, you will witness the world’s top players competing with extraordinary highlights, precise strategies, and impeccable teamwork down to the second, or mind-blowing map reads that feel like hacks. All these elements provide viewers with emotional highs that not many games around the world can offer.
Let’s take a look back at the classic matches throughout the 8-year history of CS:GO that fans should not miss!
*Note: This list is entirely the subjective opinion of the writer and is not in any specific order.
Fnatic vs FaZe Clan (Grand Final IEM Katowice 2018)
IEM Katowice 2018 was the first major tournament of the year and also the first tournament to use the new GSL format from ESL. With a total prize pool of $500,000 and being part of the Intel Grand Slam Season 1, IEM Katowice was one of the most prestigious tournaments of 2018, featuring all the top teams at the time.
In the grand final at the prestigious Spodek arena, we witnessed a showdown between Fnatic and FaZe Clan. These two names did not disappoint as they delivered a spectacular match with a full 5 maps and thrilling overtime rounds. Although FaZe Clan took an early lead 1-0 after a convincing 16-5 victory on map 1, Fnatic quickly responded with two consecutive map wins before FaZe Clan equalized at 2-2. In the decisive map de_Train, Flusha had a legendary performance with outstanding plays, giving his team a significant advantage. In the end, Fnatic clinched the victory 3-2 and proudly lifted the prestigious championship trophy, while Flusha was awarded the MVP of the tournament. This championship also allowed Golden to stay with the team a little longer before Fnatic decided to kick their captain following their victory at WESG 2018.
You can rewatch this match HERE.
NiP vs Astralis (New Challenger Stage of FACEIT Major 2018)
The year 2018 has gone down in history as the year Astralis rose to dominate the CS:GO world with a disciplined and scientific playstyle. At the FACEIT Major, they annihilated every opponent in their path and secured their second Major title. Throughout the tournament, they only lost twice: at the New Challenger stage (losing to NiP on map Mirage) and at the New Legends stage (losing to Liquid on map Inferno), with the defeat to NiP being one of the biggest surprises of the tournament as NiP was merely a shadow of its former self with numerous roster changes, while Astralis was on fire with the determination to prove their strength.
In this match, both teams fought valiantly, providing the audience with a thrilling score chase. Finally, after 4 nail-biting overtime rounds, NiP emerged victorious with rapid rush tactics that caught Astralis off guard and left them unable to respond. This win also allowed NiP to advance through the New Challenger stage with a perfect score of 3-0, while Astralis had to play another match to get through this round.
You can rewatch this match HERE.
Na’Vi vs Mousesports (Grand Final StarSeries & i-league Season 4)
If you need an example of S1mple’s incredible “carrying” ability, the grand final of StarSeries & i-league Season 4 is a perfect illustration. In this tournament, backed by the home crowd, S1mple and his teammates defeated tough opponents like Astralis and FaZe Clan to reach the grand final.
Here, they continued to easily defeat Mousesports on their map pick Overpass with a score of 16-7, but moving to their comfort map Mirage, Mousesports showed that their presence in this final was no fluke as they dominated their opponents 11-4 in the first half. Not giving up, S1mple single-handedly carried the team and helped them make a successful comeback, pushing the match into thrilling overtime rounds. However, despite S1mple’s impressive 43 kills and a ridiculous rating of 1.51, one swallow does not make a summer, and Na’Vi still faced defeat 18-22. A significant factor leading to this loss was Zeus, who had one of the worst performances of his career with only… 8 kills in 40 rounds and dying 32 times.
The defeat on the second map seemed to completely shatter Na’Vi’s morale as they played the third map Train as if they were in a daze, ultimately losing the series 1-2. S1mple was somewhat consoled by being named the tournament MVP, but winning a championship with his teammates in front of their home crowd would surely have been sweeter for him.
You can rewatch this match HERE.
FaZe Clan vs Astralis (Grand Final IEM Sydney 2018)
When talking about the era of Astralis, most will mention ESL Pro League Season 7, the tournament that began their streak of three consecutive championships before being defeated by Na’Vi in the semifinals of ESL One Cologne 2018. However, just two weeks before ESL Pro League Season 7 took place, Astralis also participated in the grand final of IEM Sydney 2018, facing FaZe Clan, a team that was experiencing significant internal issues after a series of disappointing results. Moreover, they were without Olofmeister in the lineup as he took a break from professional play, and their stand-in for the team was Xizt.
In Sydney, FaZe’s journey to the grand final was relatively smooth, with only Fnatic being a notable opponent, while teams like TYLOO, Cloud9, Grayhound, and ORDER were considered “underdogs.” Entering the grand final against an Astralis eager to prove their mettle, the two teams delivered the most thrilling grand final in history, with only 3 maps played, yet 2 of them went into decisive overtime, and map 3 Train ended with a score of 16-14. The match was filled with highlights from players on both teams, and the enthusiastic support from the Sydney crowd made this one of the most classic finals in CS:GO history.
You can rewatch this match HERE.
Fnatic vs NiP (Grand Final ESL One: Katowice 2015)
This is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling grand finals in the history of Majors with both of Sweden’s finest representatives: Fnatic and NiP. Before this match, each team had already claimed a Major title, with Fnatic winning at DreamHack Winter 2013, while NiP secured the prestigious ESL One Cologne 2014 trophy.
Facing the opportunity to become the first team in CS:GO history with 2 Major titles, both teams delivered a visually stunning match with thrilling score chases and extraordinary plays from superstars on both sides. The 3 maps of this grand final provided the audience with wonderful emotional highs, and this is definitely one of those finals that every CS:GO fan cannot miss.
You can rewatch this match HERE.
(to be continued)