Photo courtesy of PerfectWorld
Team Liquid outlasted Virtus.pro 3:2 to take the very last and their first Dota 2 Major championship title and trophy for the regular 2017-2018 season.
Nothing short of spectacular, the China Supermajor delivered in epic proportions. As Team Liquid went to bat to claim their first Major title for the regular Dota 2 Pro Circuit 2017-2018 season, Virtus.pro were looking to secure their fifth.
It took a full five-game series for the championship to be decided. In Dota 2 games with teams of this caliber, it all came down to drafting and ability to capitalize on any slight mistake - taking a small advantage and turning it into a victory.
Game 1
The first match was very even between the two teams through the laning stage and early game. It then became a brawl of skill with back and forth swings in the control and lead. About 30 minutes in, Team Liquid regained control, and although it almost slipped from their hands once again, they were able to close out the game in their favor.
Game 2
The second match belonged almost exclusively to Virtus.pro from the start. With an incredibly dominant laning phase, which they are well known for, the CIS powerhouse team took the control of the game and refused to yield to Team Liquid.
Game 3
In the third match of the game, Liquid was able to out-draft Virtus.pro with a lineup that would be unstoppable if they could win the laning phase - which is exactly what happened. Trading blows initially, Liquid was able to out-farm to accelerate their lead and advantage, thus snowballing ahead of VP, leaving the CIS team in the dust.
Game 4
In the next matchup, Virtus.pro just obliterated Team Liquid. Heavily out-drafting the TI7 championship team, VP then went on to completely crush them. Liquid had no chance to come back from the assault and in only 24 minutes, they raised the white flag of surrender with a dismal 30:5 score.
Game 5
Once again, things started out relatively even for these two teams. With everything on the line and the last match of the season, both teams went head to head with all they could muster. About 18 minutes in, Team Liquid came out ahead in a team fight and then started to seize the lead thereafter. Team Liquid had Virtus.pro at their mercy and 34 minutes in, Team Liquid finally claimed the title in the last and biggest major of the season.
