As the Challengers stage of the IEM Rio CS: GO Major entered day three, debutants in any IEM Major, OG faced IHC for a place in the final challengers’ stage on Wednesday.
The OG team entered the first elimination match of the day and stood a huge chance to become legends on the first try in the Major.
OG had beaten Grayhound in best-of-one, their first win. However, subsequently, they lost to Fnatic as well as FURIA as they dropped into the 1-2 poll. The team wouldn’t go down easy against FURIA, who needed overtime to beat the spirited performance from OG.
IHC started slower, losing their first two matches before beating 00 Nation in a game that needed multiple overtime before a winner could emerge.
However, IHC started the game against OG on the back foot and was unable to summon the performance that saw off 00 Nation.
OG’s degster was the biggest problem for IHC in the game as he was unplayable with his pace in Inferno.
Despite IHC picking Inferno, they only made nine kills while OG had 18 opening kills which ended a 16-11 win on Inferno for OG.
OG went for Ancient in their pick, and IHC did better in Ancient compared to their pick of Inferno, which OG dominated. IHC managed to ensure a close first half on CT; this was despite the tremendous production performances from NEOFRAG as well as degstar.
An 8-7 halftime scoreline had given IHC a needed advantage, and they were able to move it up to 11-7 immediately after the break as IHC enjoyed the dividends of an excellent team effort.
After OG made their first buy, IHC made it a 14-9 lead only for nexa, and flameZ led a rally back from OG while degster ruled things with the AWP.
OG took total control of the game in the final round as they beat IHC for a 16-14 win off a seven-round rally.
IHC will relish their win against 00 Nation, while OG will reach the Legends stage if they get one more series victory.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
