LOUD dominated Fnatic in the opening match of the Champions 2023 playoffs.

VALORANT Champion 2023 playoffs stage started with a highly anticipated match between two powerhouse teams. Two champions entered the battlefield but only one survived.

Fnatic holds the VCT Masters Tokyo title while LOUD is the current defending VALORANT Champions. Indeed, there’s no better way to open up the main stage than these two teams battling for the upper bracket semi-finals spot.

Fans saw an exciting rematch between LOUD and Fnatic in the opening series. The last time these two teams faced each other was during the Championship series of VCT LOCK/IN in Brazil.

Fnatic got the better of LOUD and claimed the championship title after a 3-2 series score. However, LOUD successfully redeemed themselves in their revenge matchup at the Champions 2023 playoffs.

LOUD kicked off the main stage with a strong showing as they knocked off Fnatic to the lower bracket. LOUD chose Ascent, a map where Fnatic has a significantly low win rate.

After winning two rounds, LOUD chalked up their bonus round after a well-executed push at mid. This led to another round advantage for LOUD. Fnatic finally took a winning streak of their own. Thanks to Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder’s well-timed Killjoy lockdown.

The round win set up Fnatic to claw through the deficit. LOUD failed to bring back their control and the first half eventually ended in a tie.

Once again, LOUD took the pistol round with a calculated flank from Erick “aspas” Santos. Fnatic won three consecutive rounds but LOUD answered back with four back-to-back round wins. After a few more inopportune moments, Fnatic failed to force overtime and had to tap out of Game 1.

The second map was Fnatic’s pick, Lotus. However, the team struggled to find their footing as LOUD continued to assert their dominance.

LOUD was undeniably in their A-game. It took seven rounds before Fnatic was able to break the streak. The first half heavily favored LOUD with an 8-4 score.

With a huge deficit in the first half, it was difficult for Fnatic to regain their momentum. Once LOUD bought full gears, Fnatic was over. LOUD sealed the deal with consecutive round wins and Fnatic couldn’t bounce back.

The series ended with a 2-0 sweep in favor of LOUD. Fnatic is forced to fight FUT Esports in a do-or-die series in the lower bracket while LOUD awaits for their semi-finals matchup against Paper Rex.

LOUD knocks off Fnatic at Champions 2023 playoffs stage