FURIA edge out Astralis 2:1 and advance to the IEM Krakow 2026 playoffs

FURIA secured a hard-fought victory over Astralis in a decisive Stage 2 matchup at IEM Krakow 2026, completing a comeback in the series and winning 2:1. After losing Overpass, the Brazilian squad managed to turn the tide on Mirage and confidently closed out Nuke in key rounds. For Astralis, this defeat marks the end of their tournament run, while FURIA move on to the playoffs, proving they are ready to compete with the very best.

Map veto:

1. Astralis removed Anubis
2. FURIA removed Ancient
3. Astralis picked Overpass
4. FURIA picked Mirage
5. Astralis removed Dust2
6. FURIA removed Inferno
7. Nuke was left over

Overpass (13:8 Astralis)

Astralis secured a comfortable win on their own map pick. The Danish side started on the T side and took a narrow 7:5 lead in the first half. After the side switch, FURIA managed to equalize the score at 7:7, but Astralis responded with a five-round streak that brought them to map point and eventually allowed them to close Overpass 13:8.

Mirage (13:11 FURIA)

FURIA managed to snatch victory on Mirage despite a difficult first half. Playing on the T side, the Brazilian team secured only five rounds and trailed going into the second half. However, on the CT side FURIA significantly stepped up, shut down key areas of the map, and gradually outplayed Astralis. Thanks to their strong defensive performance, FURIA turned the map around and closed Mirage 13:11.

Nuke (13:9 FURIA)

FURIA started the deciding map Nuke confidently and laid the foundation for victory in the first half. Playing on the CT side, the Brazilian squad fully controlled the pace of the game and finished the half with a commanding 9:3 lead. After the side switch, Astralis managed to rally and put together a five-round streak, significantly reducing the deficit. However, at the crucial moment FURIA stabilized their game, regained control, and closed out Nuke with a 13:9 win.

Match MVP

The best player of the match was FURIA’s AWPer molodoy, who finished the series with a 1.35 rating. The young sniper consistently stepped up in key moments, giving FURIA a significant edge.

Astralis finish their run at IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2 in 7th place, earning $24,000 in prize money for the team and an additional $14,000 for the organization. With this victory, FURIA advance to the playoffs. IEM Krakow Stage 2 runs from January 31 to February 3, where 16 teams compete for spots in the playoffs.