The most anticipated match of the first round of the MSI 2024 group stage was undoubtedly the long-standing rivalry between G2 Esports and T1. In the context of international tournaments, G2 can be considered a “kryptonite” for SKT T1/T1. Specifically, since joining G2 and starting to face T1, Caps has won 4 out of 6 encounters against the reigning World Champion, prior to this MSI. Therefore, even before the match began, many predicted that T1 could win but would face significant challenges.
In reality, the match showed that G2 deserves to be seen as the biggest hope for LEC and North American League of Legends when stepping onto the international stage. In just one BO5 match, they dominated T1 in 4 out of 5 games. If it weren’t for the timely performances from Faker and players like Keria and Gumayusi, T1 might have tasted defeat. The 3-2 victory truly had T1 fans feeling like they were “sitting on fire” at times.
However, despite performing well in all 5 games, G2 made a serious mistake right from the draft phase in game 5. Specifically, while playing a style centered around the top lane’s volatility, the Jungle-Mid duo was proactive, yet no one understood why G2 chose Bel’Veth for Yike. Not only is Bel’Veth an “out-meta” champion, but it also locked down Yike’s mobility, rendering him nearly useless throughout the match. Having to continuously play in a situation akin to a 4v5 was one of the key reasons for G2’s defeat against T1.
Notably, according to LPL viewers, as soon as Bel’Veth was picked, many spectators already knew that T1 would win the match. This is because only one team dared to bring Bel’Veth to face T1 in international competitions, and that team lost both times they used this champion. That team is JD Gaming. They lost to T1 in two consecutive World Championships, and in both instances, Kanavi used Bel’Veth. Now at MSI 2024, Yike and G2 repeated JDG’s “mistake”, and of course, the outcome did not change.
T1 deservedly won and fought hard despite facing challenges. However, it seems G2 must also blame themselves for being too complacent in a crucial phase, ultimately handing the victory to Faker and his teammates as a matter of course from the draft phase.