LoL MSI 2019 begins

During this time, we saw some exciting matches, some upsets and an incredible performance by title contenders. It was simply exceptional to see the sides coming out all guns blazing on one of the biggest stages. Let’s have a look at the performances of the teams that qualified for the next stage.

IG taking nothing for granted

After claiming the Worlds 2018 title and exhibiting great results in the 2019 LPL season, Invictus Gaming is a force to be reckoned with. It is great to see the side continuing its form in Vietnam.

In the first phase of the group stage, no team came close to defeat IG. As a matter of fact, the LPL champion established a record of the quickest game in an international competition.

Last game of #MSI2019 group stage!!
iG vs @T1LoL https://t.co/AQ6RKMOvhe https://t.co/Msx4s07vok pic.twitter.com/bvhxZuqG9v

— Invictus Gaming (@invgaming) May 14, 2019

Invictus Gaming beat the 3x world champions, SK Telecom in 16:01 minute. The also made a personal record of holding an incredible winning percentage. The team finished the group stage with a 9-1 record. This 90% win rate is the best one since previously the finished 8-2 by losing to SKT and RNG.

Sloppy end by the world champions

In the latter half of the competition, in our opinion IG slightly declined in form. Since SK Telecom got the better of them on the final day. Meanwhile, a day before that, G2 Esports almost beat the side if it hadn’t been for the 4v5 Ace from the Chinese side.

We believe that G2 got overconfident and paid for it. IG almost lost to Flash Wolves. In the game, the Wolves controlled the pace of the game from start to finish. But all it took IG to change the tie in their favor was one team fight.

Regardless of the defeat and near losses, we believe that iG looks phenomenal coming into the playoffs. They are easily the favorites of the competition and it will take remarkable effort from an opponent to beat the Chinese.

#Clid‘s solo kill in the bot lane.#T1WIN #T1Fighting #MSI2019 #take_all_my_energy @lolesports pic.twitter.com/rdTZHFirIY

— T1 LoL (@T1LoL) May 18, 2019

Other contenders

The second spot was claimed by the Koreans SK Telecom T1. The former world champions barely clinched the spot from G2 eSports. SKT spend the majority of the time at 3rd spot. They had an exciting end to the first phase by beating Liquid and IG. Meanwhile, G2 slipped to third place after embarrassing defeats to Team Liquid and Phong Vũ Buffalo.

Nonetheless, we are convinced that G2 had a good showing in the group stage. In the first stage of the competition, the side only dropped a game to Phong Vũ Buffalo. It was really exciting to see that G2 found it hard to beat the undisciplined style of play of their opponents. Yet the samurai had little to no problems against SK Telecom whom they defeated 2-0.