Day 7 of the
VALORANT Champions in Paris has begun. Sentinels and Xi Lai Gaming faced off in a high-tension duel, which was as much a battle of wits as it was of skill. After a methodical Abyss for SEN and a sharp response from XLG on Lotus, the decisive Haven map saw Arthur "
Rarga" Churyumov on Neon dictate the tempo, a pistol round snatched by
Mohamed Amine "johnqt" Ouarid briefly revive the Americans, then XLG regain control in the early buys to conclude 13–8, setting them up for a decisive match against GIANTX and eliminating the #3 seed Americas from these Paris Champions.
From Sunset nightmare to clutch finish, TL eliminate EDG
The match begins on Sunset with TL picking. EDward Gaming strikes early, securing the pistol round thanks to a double kill by Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang on Neon, then rolls out a relentless defense: 10–0 before Liquid finally scores its first point. An imperial ZmjjKK on Operator cuts down every attempt, 11–1 at halftime, and the side change does nothing to change that, as EDG converts without faltering and finishes 13–3. It's a nightmarish start, with Team Liquid visibly frustrated, never finding the key to mid or late executions.
Back after the break, Abyss pick of EDG, and we see an immediate revival from TL. Pistol and anti-eco to get things going, then a clutch 1v1 from Zhang "Smoggy" Zhao doesn't prevent Liquid from staying in control: 3-1. Kamil "Kamo" Frąckowiak scores an ace and TL controls the mid/A timings with accurate shots, giving them a 9-3 lead on offense. On the return, EDG took the pistol and the bonus, but as soon as TL brought out the rifles, the standoff came to an end, with rounds exchanged until 12-6, then finishing 13-6. Decisive direction on Bind.
Photo by Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
To finish off, Bind will close the serie. Fourth pistol for EDG, but TL responds with an aggressive Shower that recovers weapons and reverses the momentum. Half-time at 6–6, then EDG takes the lead again 10–7 thanks to some good site execs. After a timeout by Ivo "LohaN" Albino, TL's defense tightens up with Georgio "Keiko" Sanassy and Ayaz "nAts" Akhmetshin locking down B, TL pushes into overtime. EDG gambles on A for a match point at 12–13, Liquid equalizes, then converts its own elimination point. 15–13 and a 2–1 victory, sending EDG, the 2024 World Champions out of the tournament and giving them a rematch against DRX for a place in playoff.
The Seed#3 of Americas fall
This elimination match will start on Abyss, Xi Lai Gaming's pick. The Sentinels immediately set the pace with structured play, clean trades, and a refusal to be drawn into XLG's chaos. After a slow start on offense, XLG woke up around the 8th round with solid defense on site B, slowing down their opponents' momentum, but SEN kept the upper hand and ended the half up 7–5. Back on defense, the Americans locked down key areas with first round, eco management, then mid-rounds replayed with numerical superiority. Marshall "N4RRATE" Massey's lurk punished a late comeback and Sentinels moved irresistibly closer to the finish, calmly converting to 13–10.
Back from the break, Sentinels' pick, Lotus, will be the ideal playground for the Americans to try to close out the match. Pistol for SEN, carried by a beautiful double with the Sheriff on Zachary "zekken" Patrone's Raze, but XLG responds and reverses the momentum with sharp executions and entries that break through the anchors 4-2, then a 9-3 halftime lead on offense. However, Sentinels fought back round after round, and Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro pulled off a feat that reignited hope, even saving several map balls. Despite this comeback, XLG kept their cool, won the key duels at the end of the timer and closed out the game 13-11, tying the score at 1-1. Off to Haven for the showdown.
Photo by Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
Haven Decide Map starts directly with
Rarga in Neon, XLG clinches the deal 13–8.
Rarga launches XLG right away with a double entry on A pistol + anti-eco, but once armed, the Sentinels retaliate
Sean "bang" Bezerra slams a triple on Phantom on Omen, SEN strings together two rounds and takes the lead 3–2. The stalemate continues until 5–5, then
Rarga takes the lead with sharp openers to make it 7–5 at the break. After the break, an ultra-tense pistol round ended with a 1v1 won by
Mohamed Amine "johnqt" Ouarid, allowing SEN to pocket the anti-eco and equalize, but XLG won the first buy, picked up the pace and pulled ahead 10–7. The Americans couldn't come back. XLG closed out the game 13–8, advancing to a qualification match for the playoff against GIANTX, and Sentinels seed #3 Americas exited the Champions Paris tournament.
Header credit photo: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
