NRG beat FUT Esports 13-11 on the map Lotus in a close Lower Bracket match at VCT Masters London on Friday, pushing the Turkish side to the verge of elimination. The loss means FUT Esports must win their next match to stay alive in the tournament.
A tight battle on Lotus
Lotus, a map known for its three sites and fast rotations, saw both teams trade rounds throughout the first half. NRG took an early lead but FUT Esports fought back to keep the score close. By halftime, the game was still within reach for both sides, with NRG holding a narrow advantage.
The second half followed a similar pattern. FUT Esports managed to string together several rounds, but NRG’s defensive adjustments on the B site proved critical. A key retake on the A site in the 22nd round gave NRG the momentum they needed to close out the map 13-11.
Elimination danger for FUT Esports
With the loss, FUT Esports now faces a must-win scenario in their next Lower Bracket match. If they lose again, they will be eliminated from VCT Masters London. The team has shown resilience earlier in the tournament, but the margin for error is gone.
NRG, meanwhile, advances to the next round of the Lower Bracket, keeping their championship hopes alive. The North American squad has been one of the stronger teams in the tournament but has had to battle through the loser's side after an earlier defeat.
What’s next for both teams
NRG will face the winner of another Lower Bracket match scheduled later Friday. For FUT Esports, their next match is set for Saturday, and they must win to continue. The exact opponent will depend on results from other games in the bracket.
VCT Masters London continues through the weekend, with the Grand Final set for Sunday. The tournament features top Valorant teams from around the world competing for the championship title and valuable circuit points.
