Paper Rex punched their ticket to the VALORANT Masters London 2026 Grand Final on Saturday, taking down Edward Gaming in a decisive upper-bracket victory. The win not only secures Paper Rex a shot at the championship but also pushes Edward Gaming into the lower bracket, where survival is no longer an option.
How Paper Rex seized control
From the opening rounds, Paper Rex looked sharper. They dictated the pace, punished mistakes, and never let Edward Gaming find a rhythm. The team's coordinated executes and clutch plays in high-pressure moments proved too much for the Chinese squad to handle. While exact map scores weren't disclosed, the result was clear: Paper Rex moves on, undefeated in the upper bracket so far.
This is a statement run for Paper Rex. They've navigated a tough bracket without a single loss, and now they're one win away from lifting the trophy.
Edward Gaming's do-or-die fight
For Edward Gaming, the loss is a setback but not an elimination. They drop into the lower bracket, where they'll face another opponent fighting for a second shot at the Grand Final. The pressure is on. One more loss and they're out. The team will need to regroup quickly, analyze what went wrong against Paper Rex, and adjust their approach if they want to keep their tournament alive.
Edward Gaming came into London with high expectations. They've shown flashes of brilliance but inconsistency has cost them at critical junctures. Now they have to win two matches — the lower bracket final and then a potential rematch against Paper Rex — to claim the championship. That's a tall order, but not impossible.
The Grand Final is set. Paper Rex will wait for the winner of the lower bracket final, which pits Edward Gaming against whichever team survives the next elimination match. The date and time for the Grand Final have yet to be announced, but it will be the capstone of VALORANT Masters London 2026.
Paper Rex has already proven they can beat Edward Gaming. If they meet again, Edward Gaming will need a new plan. If it's a different opponent, Paper Rex has shown they can adapt. Either way, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
Edward Gaming's next match is scheduled for [date not provided in facts]. The tournament organizers are expected to release the full schedule shortly.
