LoL - LEC: Team Vitality suffocate Natus Vincere, G2 Esports crush Fnatic and send a strong message

After just two days of Week 3, both LEC groups now feature a team sitting at 0-3, and both are staring down the real possibility of ending their season as early as next week. Yesterday, Team Heretics found themselves in that difficult spot. Today, it’s Natus Vincere. After their 0-2 defeat at the hands of Team Vitality, their playoff hopes have all but slipped away. The bees, on the other hand, look almost safe already and will take a morale boost, having secured two clean stomps today.

The second best-of-three delivered another European classico, and once again, it ended with the Samurai on top. G2 Esports' convincing 2-0 not only dismantled Fnatic, but also sent a message across the aisle to Karmine Corp: Europe’s emperor still intends to reclaim his throne. A reminder, if anyone needed one, that G2 haven’t gone a single year without an LEC title since 2018 — the year Fnatic completed their legendary European grand slam.

The stakes were sky-high right from the opening series. With the punishing format of this Summer Split, both Vitality and NAVI were already in must-win territory if they wanted to cling to playoff chances. But the series ended ruthlessly. Game 1 wrapped up in 29 minutes in Vitality’s favor, before an even harsher Game 2, over in 28:30 with a chilling 16–0 kill score, leaving NAVI unable to find a single pick.

Speaking to Sjokz after the match, Mateusz "Czajek" Czajka admitted: “We were doing basic stuff to make the game simple. I think we were overthinking a lot in week 1. I am looking forward to tomorrow's match.” Playing more simply seems to be what still lacks for NAVI so far, as they often tend to pick difficult drafts to execute. The Kim "Malrang" Geun-seong/Francisco "Thayger" Mazo duo still lacks sparkle, but NAVI aren’t helping themselves either in the draft phase. The team, hastily assembled after acquiring Rogue’s slot this Summer, hasn’t had the benefit of growing together over the full year.

Vitality move to 1-1 and will face Karmine Corp tomorrow. NAVI, meanwhile, are staring down a do-or-die matchup against GIANTX in the very last game of the regular season next week. Mathematically, the door isn’t shut yet — but it’s barely open.

The second series of the day was just as one-sided. Fnatic fell 0-2 to G2 Esports, their midgame collapsing completely under pressure. For the first time since his arrival, Yoon "Poby" Sung-won looked genuinely outmatched — and it was against none other than Rasmus "Caps" Winther, Europe’s GOAT, who turned in a vintage performance. His post-match words made his ambitions clear despite a trophyless 2025 so far: “We’re stepping it up, and ready to go all the way this time.”

As often in the regular season, G2 looked like a bulldozer. Rudy "SkewMond" Semaan once again delivered a statement series, carrying on Pantheon and Xin Zhao for a combined 13/3/17 KDA — earning his second MVP title in as many series. Sergen "BrokenBlade" Çelik also rediscovered his flair for the unorthodox, pulling out Kled and even Rek’Sai top, driving his opponents crazy.

Fnatic have now completed their schedule and ended the group phase in 3-1. G2 still have two clashes ahead — against Team BDS tomorrow, then SK Gaming next week. If they win both, first place in the group is theirs, setting up a guaranteed Fnatic vs. Karmine Corp best-of-five in playoffs with a Worlds 2025 ticket on the line.