LoL Worlds 2024: PSG Talon and 100 Thieves, Do or Die

Today, on day 5 of Play-In stage of League of Legends Worlds 2024, we will see the last qualification matches. Today, two last teams will officially join the Main Event and will be given a break to prepare for the Swiss Stage against the best teams in the world. This battle pits two teams from different regions, each with their own stories and ambitions for the tournament. After their defeat at the hands of the Lions, PSG Talon now faces another formidable opponent once the historic Latin American showdown between R7 and paiN Gaming concludes. This time, they will be up against North America's third seed, 100 Thieves.

100 Thieves' early loss in Round 1 has set up an interesting scenario. Now, two strong contenders to make it out of Play-In are fighting for survival, but only one can advance. For 100 Thieves, this is about more than just staying in the tournament—it's a matter of pride as one of the LCS representatives. Meanwhile, for PSG Talon, it is a chance to prove their worth, carrying the hopes of their entire region as the sole remaining team vying to move forward.

However, PSG Talon has not lived up to the high expectations set for them. Entering the tournament as the presumed top powerhouse among the minor regions, they have displayed clear weaknesses and inconsistent performances so far. Their decision-making has been shaky, leading to several risky plays across the map, making every game a struggle. This was especially evident in their match against MAD Lions KOI, where they fell 1-2, showcasing their vulnerabilities.

That said, 100 Thieves have also struggled throughout the Play-Ins. As the third representative from the LCS, they were expected to breeze easily through this stage. However, the pressure of performing in the LEC Studio seems to be weighing on them. Their shocking loss to paiN Gaming in the first round was a wake-up call, and they have had trouble closing games efficiently. So far, their matches have averaged 34:03 in length, revealing a difficulty in maintaining control. Despite this, 100 Thieves have the potential to step up. They are relying heavily on their promising young midlaner, Lim "Quid" Hyeon-seung, to carry them through the early and midgame phases, despite him not showing a lot so far in his first two series.

"I think our read on the meta is pretty good. It's more of a gameplay issue right now. So yes, we literally just have to get better. I just have to get better if we want to have a chance at doing well because we can't be losing in Play-Ins. That’s pretty disgusting. We just have to lock in" admitted Rayan "Sniper" Shoura in his interview for Sheep Esports, justifying their recent shape as a poor showing of what they really should be able to do.

Now, they find themselves in a high-stakes, do-or-die series against a shaky PSG Talon. Both teams are seeking redemption, and only one can survive.

Huang "Maple" Yi-Tang stands out as the team’s star player, often leading the charge in crucial teamfights. His expertise on champions like Akali and LeBlanc in the midlane demonstrates his ability to make game-changing plays and guide his team to victory.

On the other hand, Maple’s opponent, Quid, is a formidable force in his own right. Although he has yet to fully shine in this tournament, the LCS Spring Split MVP has the mechanics and game knowledge to take control of the midlane. He, his jungler Kim "River" Dong-woo and ADC Frank "Tomo" Lam, have all played five different champions across their five games, showcasing their versatility in draft. However, this also hints at some discomfort with finding a consistent composition that works for them.

Sniper is coming in this qualification match to hunt for Falcons. Recently freed from his K'Sante duties in their last series against SHG, he has shown greater impact on his Renekton. Despite this, Sniper often plays weakside, so it's likely his tank days aren't over yet. He will be up against Huang "Azhi" Shang-Jhih, a powerhouse in the PCS with 17 solo kills this summer. Azhi is known for his unique pocket picks, having already played Vayne and Corki top in this tournament.

His jungler Yu "JunJia" Chun-chia told us more in our recent interview: "Azhi is comfortable playing Vayne, which is why he picked it. He also has other picks we haven’t shown yet that we’ll use in the future". As one of PSG’s key players, a significant lead in the toplane could severely disrupt 100 Thieves' strategy, making Azhi a critical threat in this matchup.

Two teams are set to clash today after the R7 and paiN Gaming series concludes.