Catch up with all the action in our MSI Knockout Stage Recap of T1 v G2.

The second of two Semi-Finals would pitch local heroes T1 against the European hopefuls of G2. After an amazing Group Stage and early Rumble Stage record, G2 fell apart in the second half of Rumble. Was it a momentary blip, or did it reveal a potential disaster waiting to happen?

MSI Knockout Stage – T1 v G2 – Game 1

An interesting draft on the side of T1, while G2 opted for a more comfortable draft. T1 got off to an ideal start, claiming first blood top side, with caPs able to TP in to save some face in the lane. G2 fluff a dive in the bot lane, picking up a kill but giving two over to T1. With not even 10-minutes on the clock, G2 went to the bot lane to claim two kills. However, while that was happening, T1 claimed two mid-lane towers with the use of the Rift Herald. The first major team fight shows how far ahead T1 was. With three members of G2 down early, T1 split the fight, knocking down a G2 inhibitor. By 20-minutes, T1 were 8k ahead, with Faker picking up the majority of it.

T1 moved their attention to Baron just a few minutes late, with G2 completely unable to do anything about it. Jankos moved into the pit to take it but was taken down before he could steal it. Three members of G2 dropped, as T1 reset before ending the game. With the base under siege, G2 couldn’t stop the T1 push as G2’s base crumbled. A 24-minute secured by T1, as G2 had to head back to the drawing board ahead of Game 2.

Quick Stats:

• Teams: T1 – G2
• Time: 24:05
• Kills: 13-7
• Turrets: 11-0
• Gold: 50.9k – 39.1k
• Dragons: 3-0
• Barons: 1-0

MSI Knockout Stage – G2 v T1 – Game 2

After a dominant Game 1, T1 will be looking to get Game 2 off to a positive start. With minions not even on the map, G2 were on the back foot from the off. With T1 sending 3 members mid-lane at level one, they secured an early first blood. T1 turned their attention bot side again, with a 3-for-2 going the way of T1. At the 13-minute mark, T1 had a 3k lead, as G2 tried to stay within arms reach of T1. While G2 managed to win a big fight near their base as G2 looked to make plays across the map. Despite that, T1 remained ahead, with much better pressure across the map than G2. The plays kept on flowing for G2, as they set up a bait for T1 inside their own jungle. It paid off, as Faker triggered the trap and picked up another big team fight win.

T1 force the Baron, baiting G2 once again into moving into the fog of war. The setup is perfect for T1, as they took caPs out of the fight before it even starts. G2 came close in the 4v5 but countless outplays from T1 saw them win the fight and secure the Baron. T1 assaulted the G2 base, and knockdown an inhibitor while winning yet another team fight. By the 30-minute mark, the T1 lead was 11k as G2 looked out of answers. T1, once again in the G2 base, win another team fight as Game 2 is secured by T1 with just one game left for them to secure a Grand Final spot. As for G2, they had it all to do if they looked to avoid being sent home.

Quick Stats:

• Teams: G2 – T1
• Time: 32:05
• Kills: 11-18
• Turrets: 2-11
• Gold: 51.9k – 65.6k
• Dragons: 2-1
• Barons: 0-1

MSI Knockout Stage – T1 v G2 – Game 3

A must-win game for G2, as their MSI adventure, would be over with a loss. For T1, they just had to remain focused and they’d secure a Grand Final spot against RNG tomorrow. While it wasn’t an aggressive start to the game, it was G2 that secured the first blood on the bot side. Quickly, T1 were able to punish G2, abusing the lack of summoner spells from the European side. T1 had secured a 2k lead off the back of these plays. After Rift Hearld is secured, G2 capitulate, losing four more members as T1 ballooned their lead as G2 looked out of options. From bad to worse for G2 as T1 kept winning across the map, no matter what G2 threw at them. The momentum appeared to be slipping away, as G2’s misplays become their undoing.

With T1 continuing to dominate across the Rift, G2’s collapse is apparent. T1 refused to slow down, skirmishing at every opportunity as G2 looked out of ideas. With Rift Herald secured, and G2 almost losing a 5v1 in the bot lane it looked all but over for G2 with just 18-minutes played. With T1 on the bot side of the map, they forced a 5v5 onto G2 as only Flakked got out alive. T1 pushed into the G2 base, and with just 20-minutes on the clock, T1 knockdown G2 as they head into a Grand Final against RNG.

Quick Stats:

• Teams: G2 – T1
• Time: 20:36
• Kills: 6-22
• Turrets: 0-8
• Gold: 30.4k – 45.2k 
• Dragons: 0-2
• Barons: 0-0